Hey, Writers!

Time is just about up to get your submissions entered for the July ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. For now, our mailbox is still open, but the deadline is in a couple days—through the end of the month. If you haven’t done it yet, we suggest you hop to it! In these unusual times, we asked to hear from kids who weren’t able to attend summer camp this summer: how it made you feel, what you did instead, and how much you missed the camp experience.

Submit your written entry of your time at camp by clicking here. There is no entry fee. If you're under the age of 18, you'll need permission from your parent or guardian to participate in this Contest.

For the month of August ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest, we want to hear from all you camp families out there who found themselves fortunate enough to do camp this year. In general, things have changed quite a bit and summer camp isn’t exempt from the changes. Tell us about how summer camp was different from previous years. Or maybe it didn’t feel so different—we want to hear about that too. Entries from parents and grandparents are welcome as well.   

The Contest Everyone Wins!
For this contest we’ll be picking six random winners. Our first randomized winner will receive our top prize of a $200 gift card to use on our website! Second place prize is a $100 Everything Summer Camp gift card. Third place will receive a $50 gift card. And three more random winners will receive $25 gift cards. All other participants will get 1000 S’more Bucks.   

Tell us how camp went and submit your stories to be shared right here on the Blog! Check out the entry form for further details and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

Things certainly are different in our nation and our world now that we’ve made it through the pandemic lockdown. And yet, things still seem just as unsure as they were when our shutdown was first put into place. Certain places have been affected more than others which caused some places to stay closed longer than others. And, unfortunately, some places are still unsure whether they can open or not. Some businesses remain closed and some aren’t financially able to reopen. It’s impacted all of us and may still be impacting you. Maybe your summer camp isn’t reopening and you won’t be attending camp this season. Usually our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest gets stories about kids’ summer camp visits, but this month, we want to hear from folks who aren’t going to camp.

Your stories right now are recording history. This is a truly crazy time in our lives and our past. Let’s cement it with our stories and publish them here on our Blog. Tell us what you’ll miss most about camp and if you have any other summer plans to try and fill the void. Of course, if you are able to attend camp this summer, we'd love to hear about that as well.

For this contest, we’ll pick a $100 winner and a $25 winner of Everything Summer Camp Gift Cards. Everyone else who submits will get 1000 S’more Bucks (the campy equivalent to reward points). You have until Friday, July 31 to submit. Submissions must be 150 words to qualify, but we’d prefer that they be closer to 250. Submit your written entry by clicking here.

There is no entry fee. If you're under the age of 18, you'll need permission from your parent or guardian to participate in this Contest. And speaking of parents—we certainly love hearing from you as well; so don’t hesitate to enter your own submission if you’d like to share your own thoughts! Get writing, folks! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

This weekend, we continue publishing the great submissions we received for our new monthly ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest. After our two prize winners, all entrants in our May contest received S’more Bucks (our campy term for loyalty points) for their participation—at Everything Summer Camp, everyone’s a winner! 

The following camp story submission is from Jessica M. who wrote in to tell us about her summer visits to Camp Seven Hills! Here’s her submission:

“I have gone to Camp Seven Hills for 5 going on 6 years. I love every year of it. My first year I wanted to go home and I was young but I found it wasn’t camp I didn’t love it was the program I was in, my mom also was sent to the hospital and they didn’t tell me because I was so young. But the year later I went back and did a 2 week horse session and it was awesome. I loved being with the horse and people, you come home smelling like horses and campfire but nothing is wrong with that. My third year got cut a little short after I had a little accident in the outdoor riding arena. I fell and broke my leg, but the camp staff were awesome and took such good care of me. I went back my forth year and had such a good time, I didn’t get homesick like I did the previous years and I just loved it. My Fifth year was the best year yet. We had 2 new riding directors and they were amazing, Flicka and Spirit. They were so much fun and I didn’t want to leave. I went for 3 weeks that summer and I was so happy I wish I went all 5. At the end of my 3rd week I got my 5 year pin and shirt. I’m signed up for another 3 weeks this summer and in hope to see all the amazing barn staff and camp staff again. Thank you to all the amazing camp staff and to everyone who buys Girl Scout cookies to help all the amazing girls be able to go to camp.”

Awesome, Jessica! Thanks for the submission. I’m glad you’ve discovered how much you love Camp Seven Hills through harder times as well as all the fun! Camp often times can be that way where it doesn’t always start out so smooth. It’s a big transition! But, like you, most kids end up realizing what a blast summer camp is! To everybody else, if you’re interested in your own camp stay at Camp Seven Hills, check out their website to learn more. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

This weekend, we continue publishing the great submissions we received for our new monthly ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest. After our two prize winners, all entrants in our May contest received S’more Bucks (our campy term for loyalty points) for their participation—at Everything Summer Camp, everyone’s a winner! 

The following camp story submission is from Bee B. who wrote in to tell us about her summer visits at Camp Mohawk! Here’s her submission:

“Camp Mohawk is the best camp, because not only do they teach you how to fish, how to swim, and how to horseback ride, but they also teach you how to have fun, how to make friends, and how to be yourself, and be silly. Camp Mohawk supports you in who you are, what you want to be, and what you do. While we have been quarantined, they have been creating activities that we can do instead of sitting at home. They want us to stretch our abilities, and be all we can be. When I arrive at camp, I have a counselor or two asking us how our trip was, and if we need anything, and they always make sure that we know which cabin we are in. When I walk into my cabin I see two counselors giving me a name tag, and letting me choose which bunk I would like to sleep in. When all of the campers arrive, we take a tour of the camp to make sure no one gets lost. After that we play silly get-to-know-you games in the long green meadow of grass. Once I was really bummed, because I got the lowest level of swimmer when I knew I could do better. The counselors practiced with me every day, and helped me become a better swimmer. When the next swim test came, the counselors cheered me on, and when I got the next level of swimmer, they celebrated, and gave me hugs. They made me feel like a million bucks. In conclusion Camp Mohawk is the best camp because, not only do they care about you, but they want to help you become a better person, and become more creative. They want to be your friends. Also they always support you. Camp Mohawk is the best camp..”

What a wonderfully welcoming place Camp Mohawk sounds like, Bee! Thanks so much for sharing the Mohawk experience with us! It’s great to hear about your advancements in swimming. Sometimes you just need a second chance and a little support! Sounds like Camp Mohawk is your home away from home! To everybody else, if you’re interested in your own camp stay at Camp Mohawk, check out their website to learn more. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

This weekend, we continue publishing the great submissions we received for our new monthly ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest. After our two prize winners, all entrants in our May contest received S’more Bucks (our campy term for loyalty points) for their participation—at Everything Summer Camp, everyone’s a winner! 

The following camp story submission is from Moriah D. who wrote in to tell us about her summer visits at Catalina Island Camp! Here’s her submission:

“My Mom has been volunteering at this camp for 25 years and my mom has been taking me there when I was a baby for almost 6 years. The first year I started doing all the activities is when I was nine years old. One of my many favorite activities is the high ropes at first I was really scared then my whole cabin cheered me on and I finished it. The other activities I really liked are hiking because most of the people around me encourage everyone around me. There are 3 more things I did not mention earlier: My name is Moriah and I am11 years old and the first time I went to this camp I did not want to go, but now I want to stay forever. Thank You for reading this.”

And thank you for writing this, Moriah! That’s awesome that you got to grow up with Catalina Island Camp around in the summers before actually attending summer sessions! It’s great how supportive the people and experiences of camp can be, isn’t it? I hope your future gets brighter every summer at Catalina Island Camp and maybe start volunteering like your mom! To everybody else, if you’re interested in your own camp stay at Catalina Island Camp, check out their website to learn more. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks!

- John