Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s the Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We’re in full swing for this year, announcing our lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog. Today, I’m announcing our first $200 gift certificate winner! Today’s winner is….

Imogen S.!

Congratulations, Imogen! You won a $200 gift certificate to our one-stop camping gear shop! Imogen gives us her story of her time at Camp Chinqueka this summer in Washington, Connecticut. Read about it in her Contest entry right here:

“I remember one hot summer day, I was at my day camp and my friends told me about this camp called Chinqueka. I was curious, so when I got home, I asked my mom to look into it. A month later, I was signed up for two weeks at sleepaway! I felt this rush of emotions, excitement, nervousness, and happiness. After the long car drive, we had arrived.

I was so nervous, but the moment I stepped into my cabin, all the nerves washed away like a passing wave. Everybody greeted me with a big smile. We had time to settle in and then change into our swimsuits for the swim test! I thought I had become a white swimmer-the lowest rank, but little did I know I was yellow!

After the first day, we came into a more normal schedule—I tried so many new things, like cheerleading, water tag, and horseback riding! Speaking of horseback riding, I went twice, and it was magical!! The horse I rode was named George, and I really liked him. He would always let me pet him, and in return, I would shoo the flies away from him!

At camp, I met so many new friends, learned so much, and discovered new interests! I even won the camp art contest, so I collaborated with somebody else to paint a MURAL! On top of that, I got to write multiple articles for the camp newspaper, the "Tom-Tom"! Chinqueka is a home away from home and I hope to go for four weeks next year. ”

It’s wonderful to hear how quickly you chose to try a couple weeks at this new summer camp, Imogen! That’s great that you found a camp you enjoyed so much with so many fun things to do and friendly folks! Nice work on embracing new experiences. Say ‘Hello’ to George for me when you return in the next summer season. To anybody else interested in Camp Chinqueka, you can check it out by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Time for Everything Summer Camp’s annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest has rolled around once again! We’re excited to give away our prizes and announce our lucky winners as well as posting their stories right here on the Blog. Today, I’m announcing our second $100 gift certificate winner right now!

And our second $100 winner is….

Victoria S.!

Congratulations, Victoria! You just won $100 for our one-stop camping gear shop for your future equipment purchases! Thanks for sharing your summer experience at Camp Harlam. Read her submission right here:

“I love camp! No matter what we’re doing! This year at camp it rained a LOT! But we still made the best of it! This year when it rained we got stuck in different places around camp, for several hours. Instead of doing nothing and just sitting around, we had fun! We made string bracelets, played catch with a ball (if we had one) and just talked about what we’re excited to do next in camp! I also loved that this year we did trips. We weren’t able to go on trips the last several years because of covid. My age group went to Hershey Park! It was one of my favorite things at camp we did! We were all in different groups depending on what things you wanted to do at Hershey Park. I had so much fun! It was especially fun because we got to go with some of our best friends we only see once a year! I loved screaming our heads off when we were scared on the rollercoasters! Overall I HAD SO MUCH FUN AT CAMP! Even though it rained a lot! I already miss camp! And can’t wait for next summer! ”

Great, Victoria! Camp Harlam sounds extra special! It's important to embrace the experience even when things aren't ideal (like a rainy day or even a rainy week!). Sounds like outside the precipitation, you had some awesome experiences like your trip to Hershey Park and terrifying rollercoaster rides! Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, Victoria!

To anybody else interested in Camp Harlam, you can check it out by clicking right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s the Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We’re in full swing for this year, announcing our lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog. Today, I’m announcing the first of our $100 gift certificate winners! Today, the winner is…. 

Christina F.!

Congratulations, Christina! You’ve won a $100 gift certificate to our one-stop camping gear shop! Christina wrote in to tell us about her daughter's fun time at Pilgrim Park Camp. Read about it in her Contest entry right here:

“Last year, I shared the story of how my daughter’s camp experience consisted of two years of a half-week camp followed by two years of COVID. Then when the camp reopened the following year, they only made it a few hours into what was to be my daughter's first full-week camp before the whole camp had to close due to COVID. Fortunately, COVID did NOT ruin camp this year! She had her first full-week camp experience and it was wonderful. Just like last year, she marched right into her cabin without looking back, and almost forgot to say goodbye! In addition to finally getting back into her favorite camp activity (archery), she went creek walking, pedal-boating, and made campfire s’mores. She also got to enjoy first-time activities like canoeing and the camp dance. She learned that cabin mates are there for each other no matter what when her bunk mate squished a scary spider for her. And she made a pen pal (text pal?) so she can keep those camp feelings and memories alive all through the year. Even though she’s going to a different camp than I did growing up, I love that she’s experiencing some of the same things I did as a camper. Every camp is unique and has things that make it special, but it’s pretty awesome thinking about the traditions and experiences that cross “camp lines” and connect campers everywhere.”

Yayyyyyy! I’m so glad your daughter had the opportunity to return to full, normal camp this summer! No surprise closings. No restrictions. How nice that she got to take part in some of her favorite activities and made a friend to keep in touch with outside of camp! You’re right that all camps are unique, but I’m glad her experience at Pilgrim Park mirrors your own time at camp.

To anybody else interested in Pilgrim Park for summer camp, you can check it out by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest is in full swing for this year. We’ve been announcing our lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog throughout September. And today, I’m announcing our last $50 gift certificate winner! Today’s winner is….

Sarah W.! Check out her submission about her time at Bay Shore Camp right now…

“Bay Shore Camp. When I hear these words or think about them, I smile. It’s a home away from home for me. I’ve been going since I was five and I’m now nineteen. Twelve summers of my life. I haven’t been in a couple years, but I hope to counsel again one day if I get the chance. Camp is a place I met many people and made godly friendships that built me up. Most of all, it is a place where I experience a Spirit filled week, full of Jesus’s presence.

The zip line is fast and adrenaline pumping, and the pool is perfect to cool off on hot summer days. Canoeing in the shallow bay, where you would have to get out because you got stuck in the muck! Mini golf on the hottest day of the week, going through the Bible as you play. Crazy games like slip n slide kickball and chicken baseball in the soccer field. One year it flooded so bad we canoed there! Their food can’t be compared to any other and the cinnamon rolls and Chinese food are my faves! Campfires where I had to wear sunglasses because the bugs were so bad.

Yet none of it compares to early mornings and late nights in the Tabernacle, worshiping our hearts out! It’s awesome to see how lives are changed for Christ and how His love is so powerful! The summer of 2021, I counseled three camps and it was way better than being a camper. It’s pretty much the same it’s camp for free and you get to share Jesus with kids!! If everyone could go to camp, I think hearts would be changed for the better!”

Thanks for writing in to us, Sarah! I guess when you’ve been going to the same summer camp for more than a decade, it really becomes your home away from home. Thanks for the collage of fun times and your favorite activities, food, and aspects of your summer camp journey! Hopefully you make your return to your home away from home for another camp season at Bay Shore! Thanks again for sharing.

If Bay Shore Camp sounds like the right camp experience for you, give it a closer look by clicking here. Tune in tomorrow when I reveal our next winner! And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The end of summer’s always bittersweet, but year-after-year, we’re excited here at Everything Summer Camp to keep with our traditional ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We saw an excellent response with your submissions this year with more stories, laughs, and good times. 

Today we have our fourth $50 winner. And that winner is…. Fiona D.! Check out her submission about her time first time away at Camp Woodland for Girls right now:

“This summer was my first summer at camp. My brother and sister have been going to camp for years and always talked about it throughout the year. During the school year, I would go to my sister's room and she would share camp stories, sing camp songs and show me photos and certificates of her accomplishments. I was eagerly waiting to go but I was also a little nervous about being away from home for six weeks. I had a wonderful summer. I made so many new friends. My favorite thing about camp were my activities. I love animals and every day I would care for the ducks. We had names for them and we fed them. We even made an obstacle course for them so they could play. I also took riding for six weeks and I’m now part of the pony club. Every day, I spent one hour with my favorite horse. I’m happy to be home but I cannot wait to go again next year and see my friends and my animals again.”

What a fun time this summer, Fiona! How impressive of you to take on six weeks away for your first season of summer camp! Camp Woodland sounds like a really great place with some fun opportunities for adventure and bonding with animals! Hope you continue to enjoy summers of fun adventures at Camp Woodland for Girls! Thanks for sharing your experience, Fiona.

If you’re interested in checking out Camp Woodland for your daughter, do it now by clicking here. Be sure to come back on Monday when we’ll continue announcing our winners and publishing your camp stories right here on the Blog! As always, thanks for reading (and writing), Boys and Girls!

 - John