Hey, Camp Fans!

We were elated to receive over 30 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. We’re super eager to share with all our readers by publishing each one of the submissions right here on the Blog! There were seven lucky winners to our contest and everyone else who submitted received a $15 gift certificate to our website!

Today’s post is from the mother of James W., who wrote in to tell us about her son’s second camp stay for a couple weeks at Camp Yawgoog.

“This was only the second year for my Scout to go to summer camp and his first year at sleep-a-way camp. I was a complete wreck! The one thing I did not have to worry about was how I was going to pack him up. I LOVED the trunk and am so glad I went all the way; getting all the accessories. Everything had its own place and since I had James pack it I was assured that not only would he know what he had but where he had put it. After seeing other boys with everything thrown together in one big mass of a cheap plastic tote I knew we had made the right decision. It was so easy to get everything from the car to camp and set up was a breeze. I will without a doubt be buying this all again for my youngest son when it's his turn to go. The biggest surprise of all was how my son thrived. James had a fantastic time and even had the honor of being knighted. He was one of three Webelo Scouts from his camp week that earned the title “Knight of Akela”. James was eager to volunteer for waiter duty in the mess hall and even had the privilege of carrying his camp flag in the dress parade. I don’t mind saying that this proud Momma had tears in her eyes seeing the new confidence my son earned in just one week.”

Glad to hear Sir James had so much fun and the Knight of Akela honor at Camp Yawgoog! Camp certainly is a fantastic time and congratulations to the proud Momma! Check out Camp Yawgoog to see if it might be a good match for you. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were elated to receive more than 30 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. We’re super-eager to share all the entries right here on the Blog! There were seven lucky winners to our contest and everyone else who submitted received a $15 gift certificate to our website! Today’s post is from Ella C., who wrote in to tell us about her first two-week camp stay at Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp.

“One of my plans for the summer was to go to sleep away camp for the first half. It was my first time, so I had no clue what it was going to be like. Fun, boring, exciting, all of the above? I got onto a bus with nobody I knew. The bus drive was long and boring. It was about 2 ½ hours long.

When we arrived, all the returning campers wanted to give their counselors from last year hugs. When everybody got off the bus, I went to find my counselors. We played a couple of games to help us memorize our bunk mates and counselors’ names.

After lunch we went to our bunks to get our beds assigned and unpack. It took me two full days to finish unpacking. I had the most stuff.

The next day we started our regular schedule. We could do things like swimming, gardening, basketball, and animal care. We also got to choose hobbies. I chose drama and got to perform in The Little Mermaid.

At camp, I had an amazing time and got to do so many things I have never done before and meet so many new people and friends. I can’t wait to go back next year and see my friends again. I’m sure that next year, I will be one of those kids looking for my favorite counselors.”

Glad to hear you had such a good time at Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp, Ella! Camp certainly is a great time full of fun and exciting activities, new experiences, and wonderful people! Check out Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp to see if it might be a good match for you. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were delighted to see such a great response to our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp and now we’re eager to publish each one right here on the Blog! After our seven lucky winners, everyone else who submitted received a $15 gift certificate to our online store! Today’s post is from Brianna B., who wrote in to tell us about her time away at Pinecove Camp and the fun summer stay she had…

MY CAMP STORY!!

“Hi. My name is Brianna B. and I have been going to Pinecove camp in Palestine, TX for two years now! I love Pinecove because it allows me to learn about GOD and how he made each one of us different. I think Pinecove is the best because there is a week of fun activities, but they are all related back to GOD and that is what Pinecove is all about! I was so organized at camp all thanks to my trunk from EVERYTHING SUMMER CAMP, I also a had an awesome organizer (FROM EVERYTHING SUMMER CAMP) at the top of my trunk in which I could have my Bible in, my note pad and pens, and much more, and all my bunk mates said next year they wanted one too! I learned at camp that we should be focused on GOD more than anything else, and that GOD made you the way he wanted you to be. One of my favorite activities was the ZIPLINE, at first, I was really scared to do it because it was super high, but all my bunk mates cheered me on and I had the courage to do it. The thrill of the zipline was amazing, you could feel the wind in your hair and the scenery was beautiful! It felt like a once in a lifetime experience, and was a remarkable adventure in the sky! In the morning, we would always have 20-30 minutes where the whole camp had to be quiet and everyone would take out their bible and focus on GOD only (FUN FACT-THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME THE CAMP WAS EVER QUIET, THE REST OF THE DAY SOUNDED LIKE CHAOS!!) At the end of every day we would go to Worship at the “C.L.U.B”, where we would sing for 30 minutes and then pray after. Then we would do our Bible study and talk about what our pastor was saying that night. Then we would go outside get a bedtime snack and head back to our cabins for a shower and then bed. My favorite thing at camp was the camp store, there was so much stuff. I bought 4 shirts, a wrist band, and many more things!! I think the overall thing I enjoyed most was meeting new friends and knowing GOD wanted me to meet them!!”

Thanks for the shout-out, Brianna! Glad we could make you so happy with your C&N Camp Trunk and other camp accessories. And, more importantly, we’re glad to hear that you got so much out of your camp experience! It feels great to expand your network of friendships as well as your own spirituality! If you’re interested in this kind of a camping experience, check out Pinecove Camp for yourself by clicking here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were elated with all the great submissions we got about the experience our camp families underwent this last summer! We saw more than 30 submissions for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest that we had at Everything Summer Camp and we’re still posting each of your entries on the Blog! After our seven lucky winners who got larger prizes, all other entrants received a $15 gift certificate to our online store! And today’s post is from Andrea C., who wrote in to tell us about her son’s rookie year at Falling Creek Camp.

“My son went to camp for the first time this summer. As a new nine-year-old (his birthday was the first day of camp), he was ready for his new adventure. He had a few friends from home at camp with him but was really looking forward to meeting new friends.

On Day One, he literally threw his bag onto his bunk, shouted “Bye Mom!” and was running off with boys to play games. There were no tearful goodbyes, no send off with positive words, no reminding him of the videos and shows he had watched about camp, and no goodbye kiss to Mom (I did make him come back and accomplish that!). He seemed ready. His father and I looked at each other and shrugged. We proceeded to walk back to the car to head out. First impressions? Camp was going to be a good fit.

As the week went on, I anxiously read the daily blog and looked for him in the photos. I missed him, of course, but knew that he was having fun. Before I knew it, it was time to pick him up. Had he been homesick? Will he want to go back? Was I more excited about his camp experience than he was?

There was no need for me to worry. Pickup day was pouring down rain. I had planned to have him show me around, take some photos, and hear all about his week. Instead, we waded through mud and water and loaded the van with a trunk full of wet, stinky, gear. He didn’t even notice the rain or the mud. I had an umbrella but he was just walking in the rain, not noticing it. It seemed that after spending a week in the rain, playing, camping, and having a good time, he realized that it is just part of nature. He seemed to have a sense of confidence that it was just a little water. He talked non-stop about his week, his friends, who was homesick, and who was the best at whatever activity. Whew…..

Camp was great for my son. He is looking forward to going to a longer session next summer. He is already starting to think about activities and trips he wants to do. The confidence and independence he gained in such a short period was notable. Boys get very few opportunities in today’s society to be independent and make their own decisions. Camp is such a place. I cannot wait to see how he comes home next summer. I guess I am now a CAMP MOM!”

Congratulations, Andrea (a.k.a. Camp Mom)! We’re so happy that your son’s first year was so easy yet influential! Summer camp certainly is a powerful experience for those who attend it. We hope to hear back from you on how Year Number Two goes! For the rest of you, check out Falling Creek Camp for Boys to see if it might be a good match for your son. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were elated to receive over 30 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. We’re super eager to share with all our readers by publishing each one of the submissions right here on the Blog! There were seven lucky winners to our contest and everyone else who submitted received a $15 gift certificate to our website! Today’s post is from Ailey W., who wrote in to tell us about her first two-week camp stay at Camp Mystic.

“This Summer I went to camp at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. It was my first time to go to a two week long camp. For my birthday I got a beautiful, new trunk from Everything Summer Camp Store. When I got to camp there was no air conditioning. The camp had two tribes called Tonkawas & Kiowas. I drew out of a hat to pick my tribe and I got Tonkawa. I got to pick five activities and I chose Camp Craft, Archery, Fishing, Swimming & Horseback Riding. My favorite was Fishing. On the first day I caught a Bass and on the second day I caught a small fish. One day I even caught a seven pound catfish, but it broke the line. Another thing I enjoyed was watching a movie one rainy night. We watched Shark Boy & Lava Girl. It was so good but I didn’t get to see all of the movie so I was disappointed but I am fine with it now. Thank you Everything Summer Camp store for getting me ready for camp!”

Glad to hear you had so much fun at Camp Mystic Ailey! Sounds like you’re pretty good at fishing. I’m sure you’ll be telling the tale of the catfish who got away for years from now. Camp certainly is a great time! Check out Camp Mystic to see if it might be a good match for you. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John