Hey, Camp Folks!

Our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp saw an excellent response last year with 60 entries! That’s why we’ve published each and every one right here on the Blog (and why we’re still publishing them)! We received a handful that weren’t long enough to qualify for our contest, but we thought we’d at least share them on the Blog. Check out two more accounts from excited campers right here!

First is this entry from Melanie M. who attended Camp Greystone:

“Camp Greystone ran a favorite recipe contest in fall 2017. I won for my session by submitting sausage macaroni casserole and potato chip cookies. I got to cook for over 500 people at camp with one of my best friends! It was such a neat experience! I loved seeing everyone enjoy a family recipe of mine that was originally my grandfather's. This memory will last me a lifetime.”

Next up is a submission from Lisa R. who wrote in to tell us about her old camp counselor from her days at Camp Natchez in the 80s.

“I went to Camp Natchez from 1982-1986. The summer of 1985 there changed the course of my life forever. I was a 14 year old rather impressionable teenager just looking for a role model. The drama counselor was a beautiful college student who seemed to do everything right. Her hair was perfect, her clothes were trendy, she was very popular. I was very excited to be in the camp play that she was directing. She gave me a lead role and took me under her wing. From there on she was like my big sister. Then, in 1992 I moved to California with her, where I am still living today. She was my maid of honor in my wedding and has helped me through life since the day I met her.”

Thanks for these submissions, Melanie and Lisa! That’s a great that your grandfather’s recipe was able to be shared with so many folks, Melanie. And how cool to have made such a bond with someone as much as you have with your old camp counselor, Lisa! If anybody else is interested in attending one of these camps, put some time aside and look into Camp Greystone for yourself. Camp Natchez is no longer in operation. As always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

We’re still publishing some of the last submissions we received for our 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest here on the Blog! We received a handful that weren’t long enough to qualify for our contest, but we thought we’d at least share them on the Blog. Check out two more accounts from excited campers right here!

First is this entry from Eileen S. who attended Camp Merrie Woode:

“Hi. My name is Eileen Stewart. I just got back from my second year of camp. I go to camp Merrie Woode in Sapphire, NC. From my perspective, camp is where you find the best of friends, and I have met mine, Catherine. And to this day, we still talk on the phone. I have made lifelong memories at camp, like winning a round of Camp Jeopardy, and midnight swimming the night before camp ends. Camp has helped me grow from a little girl, to a responsible young women, in just two years. From horseback riding across a waterfall, to hiking to the top of Old Bald Mountain, camp is an experience every child needs to go through. In the summer of 2019, I will be returning to my third summer and be going for Five weeks at Camo Merrie-Woode.”

Next up is a submission from Colleen B. who wrote in to tell us about her boys’ camp experiences at Camp Highlands.

“My three sons have attended Camp Highlands for Boys for the past two summers. I’ve seen such growth in all three of them. I’m amazed at what they can do! Many of their “firsts” have happened at camp. They’ve all learned to water ski, canoe, sail, standup paddle board, and so much more. The older two have taken overnight camping trips with lots of hiking, rainy & cold weather, and canoeing. This camp is turning these boys into ‘worthwhile men!’”

Thanks for these submissions, Eileen and Colleen! It’s always great to hear when summer camp produces such fun experiences. Thanks for sharing! If anybody else is interested in attending one of these camps, put some time aside and look into Camp Merrie Woode and Camp Highlands for yourself! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

Our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp saw an excellent response last year with 60 entries! That’s why we’ve published each and every one right here on the Blog (and why we’re still publishing them)! We received a handful that weren’t long enough to qualify for our contest, but we thought we’d at least share them on the Blog. Check out two more accounts from excited campers right here!

First is this entry from Lila who attended Camp Sierra Vista:

“This summer I went to Camp Sierra Vista and I did so many fun activities! Riflery, Animal Care, Reading, Flash Mob, Salon, Horseback, Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, and more. Made a ton of great memories. I love my camp. It was so sad when I had to leave my tribe and cabin mates. I wish I could live there for the entire year.”

Next up is a submission from Kayden W. who wrote in to tell us about her stay at Adventure Unlimited.

“I had so much fun I brought my trunk from you guys and it held all my stuff it was heavy duty for a camp supply it kept all my clothes neat and I went camping so I needed a sleeping bag but had to sleep on the ground because I never got a sleeping bag and I needed a portable camp oven.”

Thanks for these submissions, Lila and Kayden! It’s always great to hear when you summer campers have such fun experiences. And we can’t hear enough positive reviews about our C&N Camp Trunks and other camping gear! Thanks for sharing!

If anybody else is interested in attending one of these camps, put some time aside and look into Camp Sierra Vista or look into Adventure Unlimited for yourself! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Our 2018 ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest results were through the roof! We wanted to hear how the camp experience went for campers and parents alike and the response that we received was so good that we’re still sharing the submissions here on the Blog this far into 2019! Here is another installment to our contest collection!

Today’s submission comes from Bella E. who sent in a general overview of her time at Camp Newaygo and filled it with Newaygo pride! Check it out:

“(Stomp, Stomp, Clap! Stomp, Stomp, Clap! ) ‘CABIN 3 IS FUN AND FREE, HANGING OUT IN BURGUNDY!’

Arriving on Sunday as strangers…ending the week as lifelong friends. Cabin 3 at Camp Newaygo was where my favorite summer memories took place. We started the week with class selections with everything from Archery to Spanish/Mexican culture, Drama, and Arts & Crafts. There were TONS of fun activities to choose from!

From cabin-wide water balloon fights to our overnight camp-out, the week was full of fun surprises every day. Some of my favorite things were when we played ‘Newaygo Squares’ (A spin-off of Hollywood Squares) and Gold Rush, where we had to collect the gold colored rocks hidden all over camp.

During dip, we had lots of fun playing in the water, building sand castles and kayaking. Some of our cabin mates even got to go tubing behind the speedboat! When we weren’t doing camp activities, we were busy making friendship bracelets. I would guess that each of us came home with at least 15 new pieces of jewelry!

Camp Newaygo is an all-girls camp. We learned how to work as a team and support each other and have fun! I loved singing all the songs at Camp Newaygo – we sang songs after every single meal! I can’t wait to come back next year, and I hope to bring even more friends with me!

‘MMM, I WANT TO LINGER, MMMM, A LITTLE LONGER, MMM, A LITTLE LONGER HERE WITH YOU!

MMMM, IT’S SUCH A PERFECT NIGHT, MMM, IT DOESN’T SEEM QUITE RIGHT, MMMM, THAT THIS SHOULD BE OUR LAST WITH YOU…

MMMM, WHEN COME SEPTEMBER, MMM, WE’LL ALL REMEMBER, MMM, OUR CAMPING DAYS AND FRIENDSHIPS TRUE…..

MMM, AND AS THE YEARS GO BY, MMM, WE’LL THINK OF YOU AND SIGH, MMM, THIS IS GOOD NIGHT AND NOT GOOD-BYE!’”

Love the summer camp spirit, Bella! Thanks for including your fun cabin cheer and the sweet Newaygo goodnight song! It’s great to hear that summer camp showed you such a great time with all the activities you took advantage of and all the great friendships you made. For anybody else interested in Camp Newaygo for your own camping experience, be sure to check them out sometime and, as always thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

Our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp saw an excellent response last year with 60 entries! That’s why we’ve published each and every one right here on the Blog (and why we’re still publishing them)! We received a handful that weren’t long enough to qualify for our contest, but we thought we’d at least share them on the Blog. Check out two more accounts from excited campers right here!

First is this entry from Luke O. who attended Camp La Junta:

“The first day of camp I was kind of nervous because I didn’t know what camp was like or where my activities were. But after a few days I got used to everything! And I made a lot of friends from all different cities in my cabin. I hiked up a mountain in the hills to our camp sign and the view was amazing. I bet I could see for fifty miles! Camp La Junta is awesome and I can't wait to go longer next year!”

Next up is a submission from Alexa T. who wrote in to tell us about her boys’ time at Camp Nellie Huckins!

“I went to Camp Nellie Huckins for two weeks! It was a rainy day when my parents dropped me and my twin sister off. I was nervous and excited at the same time! But a week later I wished that I stayed more time! I met a great friend at camp and we would always go swimming in the beautiful lake where we would jump off a tower and play lake games. We enjoyed making friendship bracelets at the art shop and canoeing to the sand bar! But my favorite activity to do was water-skiing! It was my first time and at first I was not able to get up. After a couple times I went around the whole lake!! It was so much fun! I loved camp and I am definitely going back next year!”

Thanks for these submissions, Luke and Alexa! That’s great that your nerves didn’t last, Luke. Camp has a way to destroy your nerves when you’re having such a great time! And thanks for sharing what a fun summer you had at Camp Huckins, Alexa! It’s great to hear what a great friendship you found there and how much fun you had!

If anybody else is interested in attending one of these camps, put some time aside and look into Camp La Junta or look into Camp Huckins for yourself! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John