Hello, Camp Fans!

We got a response to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest that was so large I’m still publishing our submissions here on the Everything Summer Camp Blog! Your stories were fantastic and it’s such a fun time reading through them! Enjoy another one right now!

Today’s post comes from Jalina K. who wrote in to tell us about her really fun camp stay at Camp Interlaken. Get a look at today’s submission about her stay: “My name is Jalina K. I attended Camp Interlaken for their first session of four weeks. This was my first time going to Camp Interlaken.

I have experienced the time of my life and cherish a place I will never forget. I have learned so much more about my Jewish heritage for the month I attended Camp Interlaken. I had time to memorize the prayers we say before and after each meal called the Hamotzie and Birkat along with being kosher for a month. I also learned many Israeli dances, Shabbat songs, traditions, and prayers.

I not only made many new friends but I created a new family. I saw all my Cabin mates as sisters and my counselors as mothers since they’ve guided me and taught me so much. Camp Interlaken also taught me so much about gratitude and turning negative situations into positive situations.

At Camp Interlaken I got to experience many activities such as archery, friendship bracelet-making, tushball, volleyball, soccer, bubble soccer, tennis, basketball, 9 square, skiing, wind surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, hydro biking, tubing, zip-lining, rock climbing, disc golfing, free dip in Lake Finley and in the pool, and many more fun activities that I’m so glad I got the chance to participate in.

My personal favorite was waterskiing because I was able to drop a ski and get half way around Lake Finley. My personal favorite time of the day when I was at Camp Interlaken is when the sun sets and we all would gather around each other holding hands and unity for friendship circle and sing together as a family. It was such an amazing feeling on Shabbat evening to walk around the entire camp holding hands and saying ‘Shabbat Shalom!!’ along with a hug and a kiss on the cheek to our camp family.

Even waking up in the morning and walking over the bridge seeing all of the glorious, sparkling view of Lake Finley is a site that I will never forget and every time I think of going back to Camp Interlaken a smile appears on my face from thinking about the funny, cherishable, unforgettable, great times I had at camp. All of these everlasting qualities, moments, and traits of my experience at Camp Interlaken proves why I think my camp is the best.

The feeling of love in the air (along with the smell of sunscreen and bug spray) at Camp Interlaken is more than just the feeling of love for the summer, but will remain in our hearts and at Camp Interlaken for all of us to remember that camp is our home and always will be. I encourage campers in considering coming to Camp Interlaken so you can experience the time of your life just like I did.”

Awesome, Jalina! Sounds like a wonderful summer experience that will stay with you forever! You make Camp Interlaken sound like such a special place—especially Lake Finley! How cool that you got to explore new friendships, new understandings, and a new place like Camp Interlaken! Thanks for sharing, Jalina! If anyone else is interested in Camp Interlaken for their next summer adventure, be sure to check them out some time and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We loved the large response we got to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp! It started back in 2018 and I’m still publishing your submissions one by one right here on the Blog. Your stories were fantastic and it’s such a fun time reading through them! Enjoy another one right now!

Today’s post comes from Emma T. who wrote in to tell us about her really fun camp stay at Birch Trail Camp for Girls. Get a look at today’s submission about her stay:

“This was my first year at Birch Trail. My favorite part of the summer was going on a climbing trip on Lake Superior. We got to climb indoors (because it rained) and outdoors above the lake. I made a lot of new friends on my trip, and the scenery was really beautiful. Another thing I really liked was the color war (aka TIAD). It made me grow out of my comfort zone and try new things like cheering loudly and getting messy. I was on the red Brules. Each team is named after a river in Wisconsin. We got to wear red costumes. Birch Trail is the best because of all of our traditions that go back to 1959. My mom and my aunt went to the camp, and it is fun being a second generation camper. I like that they let us be independent and they don't make us do things we don't want to do. The counselors and staff are very friendly and nurturing. The director is fun and funny. I could be myself and be casual. ‘No mean girls’ is a big theme, so there is always a safe place to go at camp. It is easy to make new friends since everyone is so kind and friendly. I loved my camp big sister. She always was there for me and helped me with the climbing wall. Everyone should go to BT. It's the most awesome camp!”

Awesome, Emma! Sounds like a really fantastic and well-rounded camping experience! The trip to Lake Superior sounds pretty wonderful. And it’s great to hear that you enjoyed the push that the Color War gave you outside your comfort zone. I too am not used to being loud or making a mess of myself, but it’s fun to live a different lifestyle for a little while—just to test it out. Sounds like Birch Trail was the perfect summer escape for you! Thanks for sharing, Emma!

If anyone else is interested in Birch Trail Camp for Girls for their next summer adventure, be sure to check them out some time and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hello, Camp Fans!

We loved the response we got to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp! It started in 2018, but we’re still going strong publishing each submission here on the Blog. Enjoy these fantastic stories as much as we do!

Today’s post comes from Lori C. who wrote in to tell us about her son’s fun camp stay at Camp Westmont. Get a look at today’s submission about his stay:

“My son just came home from camp today and he couldn't stop talking about all the fun he had. From learning to swim at the pool and then being able to swim in the lake. Playing Tennis and on the Ropes Courses. All the friends he had made and what he had accomplished during the summer. Bobby received two awards from camp. One was the kindness award for his bunk division and the other was an award for swimming. Before camp started my son had a very hard time trying to learn how to swim, but the staff at camp helped him be less fearful and he learned! He was very fearful of almost everything he did or didn't want to do. But as he's telling me everything he did at camp this summer, I am very grateful for the experience he has gained. He said he rides when they went on their trips, he learned to ride his bike without training wheels, he climbed the rock wall, and I was told by one of his group leaders that he is one of the best tennis players in his division! Again I am very grateful for this opportunity that he had. He can't stop talking about this summer and is already talking about going back to Camp Westmont next year!”

The magic of camp at work! Thanks for the submission, Lori. It’s wonderful to hear what positive effects the summer camp experience has had on Bobby! No wonder he’s so eager to return! Camp must have been such a blast! Enjoy the lasting effects, Lori! For anybody else interested in checking out Camp Westmont, be sure to check them out for yourself and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We saw such a great response to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp in 2018 that we’re still going strong publishing each submission right here on the Blog in the New Year. Your stories were fantastic and it’s such a fun time reading through them!

Today’s post comes from Alex C. who wrote in to tell us about her really fun camp stay at Camp Stewart for Boys. Get a look at today’s submission about his stay: 

“I'm Alex C., a 12-year-old boy who attended Camp Stewart for Boys for the first time this past summer. I want to write about my third day of camp, when I bravely climbed and then jumped off of Indian Head Rock, a rock next to the Guadalupe River that looks just like the profile of an American Indian. Here is my true story:

I grasped Indian Head Rock with my right hand and moved my left foot to the foothold. My position was tenacious, and my fingers clutched the handhold as confidence poured over me. I then pulled myself a little bit farther up the crag, and as I did so, my form kept consistent.

I felt resilient climbing up the rock, and did not reserve energy when I was climbing up the tor. I pulled myself higher and higher without thinking of the expanse between my feet and the ground. I felt like a flurry climbing up the crag, but by the time I was near the top most of my energy had depleted. I stumbled on the rock abruptly realizing how much of my stamina I had wasted. I was sweating, my face was red, and I felt almost feverish below the incandescent sun.

I looked down at the ground, the water glistened below me and I felt a small rise in confidence as I reminded myself I was climbing above a large placid river, and I started to climb once again my confidence waxing. I halted once again just inches before the top, there was an overhang right at the top. I put my hand over the overhang, and I could feel the top of the rock. Then suddenly my footing gave way, and the rocks my feet had been on cascaded down the cliff. This left me in the position with all of my feet and my left hand dangling in the air, and my right hand on the top of the crag. My confidence wavered drastically, but my adrenaline soared. Using every ounce of muscle in my body, I moved my left hand next to my right and pulled my body up the overhang and lie down gasping for air.

I lay down for a minute or two thinking back to everything that had just happened. Then I stood up realizing that I was lucky to have made it to the top, and that I had been foolish to forget about conserving my energy, but wise to correct my mistake, but most of all determined to achieve the goal. With that thought I looked to my left at the small brook feeding into the river, at the bluff behind me, at the expansive river to my right, and at the rest of camp in front of me where more adventures await.

Then with a bliss and merriment surging through my heart, I jumped off the rock into the Guadalupe River.”

Sounds intense, Alex! What an opportunity you took advantage of at Camp Stewart! I’m delighted to hear that you embraced this challenge so fearlessly. And you articulate your experience so clearly! Camp must have been such a blast! Thanks for sharing, Alex. For anybody else interested in checking out Camp Stewart, be sure to check them out for yourself and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We saw such a great response to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp in 2018 that we’re still going strong publishing each submission right here on the Blog in the New Year. Your stories were fantastic and it’s such a fun time reading through them!

Today’s post comes from Liza S. who wrote in to tell us about her really fun camp stay at Camp Merrie-Woode. Get a look at today’s submission about her stay:

“I love camp, and every year I'm super excited to go and sad to leave! All of the activities are tons of fun but my favorite would have to be horseback riding as I love riding. Some of the other activities I took this year were tennis, sailing, canoeing, knitting, archery, jewelry, and land sports. In knitting, I made a pillow, and in archery, I made several bulls eyes. This was my fifth year going, and every year I challenge myself to pass levels, etc. For example, this year I passed the first level in canoeing and went on a difficult two day hike on the Appalachian Trail with two of my friends at camp. Everyone is very witty and kind at camp and you can make friends easily. Also, every year my cabins have been with awesome people and amazing counselors. In addition, every night we have a different evening program that is so exciting and a good way to end the night.

I adore the camaraderie at camp as well as the independence to explore and try new activities. It's fantastic that camp is by the lake to take advantage of water sports like sailing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming but also to have amazing horseback riding. My favorite horse is named Picard who is a thoroughbred. He's a retired off track race horse and has the smoothest canter and loves high jumps.

Our camp is also free of electronics so we all have a chance to really get to know one another, play cards and games, and write letters to family and friends. I live in Florida so to be able to go to the mountains every summer and have a blast at camp is very special. I can't wait until camp next summer to spend time with many great friends I have met, continue passing levels and challenging myself in various activities, and feeling such joy!”

Wow! This summer sounds like it was a blast at Merrie-Woode, Liza! Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you have a special relationship with Picard and riding altogether! I’m glad you made such a strong bond with your fellow campers and your counselors. Isn’t camp great for reminding us what life is like without the interruption of buzzing and dinging electronics?! For anybody else interested in checking out Camp Merrie-Woode, be sure to check them out for yourself and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John