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

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! 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 these three accounts from excited campers!

First is this entry from Jake V. who attended NYJ Camps Round Lake:

“I never get sick, ever. I go through the entire year, and I'm just fine. This was the third year in a row that I ended up in the Big I. I went to get checked out in the morning, and I was fine. No fever. Later, I went to get another dose of meds for the headache, and BAM, fever! THE CURSE OF CAMP STRIKES AGAIN!!! I wasn't really surprised. Or even angry. At least I got a day to rest.”

Next up is a submission from Jacquelyn S. who wrote in to tell us about her boys’ time at Camp Kawaga!

“My boys each spent their 4th and 5th summer up on the shores of Camp Kawaga this year. Summer after summer we see a change in them. More like growth! The entire staff at Kawaga teach more than independence. They teach them the importance of sportsmanship, the importance of helping and encouraging others, the ability to learn to let things go, and so much more. They have both formed friendships that I know will last a lifetime. There is an “ideal” at Camp Kawaga. Many of the boys memorize and recite it. These boys are taught to live by this ideal. It is a place we are proud to send our boys, And it’s a place they call home!”

Thanks for these submissions, Jake and Jacquelyn! Sorry this summer was a bit of a bust for you, Jake. Hopefully it’s a long, long time before you end up sick again—but especially not next year during camp! And thanks for sharing your family’s love for Camp Kawaga, Jacquelyn! It’s great to hear how much they love camp and how much camp has helped shape them to become the young men you see today!

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

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

The Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing saw an excellent response last year with 60 entries! That’s why we’ve published each and every one right 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 these three accounts from excited campers!

First is this entry from Lily O. who attended Camp Rim Rock:

“This was my first year at camp. My favorite part was riding horses and learning songs to sing at camp. My mom sent us bracelets with our cabin and year on them and my bunkmates loved them. I can't wait to be a returner next year and teach the songs to other campers. I loved getting letters from home. I cried a little in the beginning, but I was ok. I can't wait to go again!”

Next up is a submission about Rylan C. and his time at Falling Creek Camp:

“I went to camp for the 2nd year this summer and loved it! I had the best cabin EVER and my counselors were so cool. I did some horseback riding but spent most time doing archery. I hit the bullseye several times. I missed home last year but not this year. I want to go back next summer for even longer. Falling Creek Camp is so awesome and beautiful. My cabin overnight was great and the campfires were so fun. I was sad when camp was over but I think about next summer everyday. I can't wait to see my friends and what cabin I will be in. I think next year I really want to work on kayaking and rock climbing. I hope I get to go to camp every summer because I get to be independent and make my own decisions.”

Thanks for these submissions, Lily and Rylan! It sounds like the both of you have many years of summer camp ahead of you! If anybody else is interested in attending one of these camps, put some time aside and look into Camp Rim Rock or look into Falling Creek Camp for yourself! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

The Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing saw an excellent response from last year’s camp experience with 60 entries! That’s why we’re publishing each and every one right here on the Blog! Today I’ve got two submissions ready to go from Emma C. as well as Maya C.! They’re entries are both on the shorter side, but you can tell there wasn’t any shortage of fun at the camps they attended!

First, take a look at what Emma said about her stay at Pine Cove Camp:

“All About Camp

Pine Cove was fun, awesome and amazing. I wish camp was longer because I loved it. My favorite thing at camp was making friends. My favorite activity was swimming. My counselors name was Double Chocolate Trip. My cabin was Wild Flower. I liked Bible study and the jumping pillow. I also liked playing with my friends. My favorite theme night was super hero night.

On the last day, it was sad to leave camp but I still have memories and friends from camp. I look forward to camp next year. I like my new friends. They are like sisters to me.”

And here’s the submission from Maya about her experience at French Woods Sports and Arts Center:

“I was that camper who cried on day one and cried on the last day because I didn’t want to leave. I fell in love with riding horses and playing piano at. camp. I made friends with girls my age from all over the world China, Spain, Argentina, England and Scotland! There was so much to choose from so I tried archery, live action role play we ran around using foam swords it was really fun. I already asked my mom if I could go back to the winter reunion. I want to go back next year! I heart FWSA.”

I’m glad you two had such positive summers last year! If anyone else is interested in one of these camps, check out Pine Cove Camp or look into French Woods Sports and Arts for yourself sometime! And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John