Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest is in full swing for this year. We’ve been announcing our seven lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog. Everyone who submitted receives a $15 gift certificate and seven lucky winners receive larger prizes of $25, $50, and the grand prize of $100. Today and tomorrow, we’re announcing our two winners of the $50 gift certificates! Today’s winner is….

Catherine D.!

Congratulations, Catherine! You’re our second $50 prize winner! Catherine just shared one moment of camp, but it was such a big moment! Check it out in her entry about her stay at Gold Arrow Camp:

“This year I completed my 2nd year at Gold Arrow Camp, my home away from home. I absolutely love camp, from the amazing friends I make that I know I will have for my entire life, to the delicious food, to the adrenaline and pride I obtain after conquering my fears. One of my favorite activities that I participated in this year at camp was also one of the scariest for me. When I woke up one sunny morning and read the activities board for the day, I felt my stomach drop in anticipation. My cabin was scheduled for canyoneering, the activity in which one rappelled down a waterfall. I was terrified of heights, and was dreading this activity. After packing lunches for the day, we hiked around 2 miles to the great waterfall. My butterflies returned after seeing the colossal waterfall for the first time! After strapping on our harnesses and helmets, my cabin climbed boulder after boulder to reach the summit of the waterfall. A few of my friends rappelled down the waterfall all too quickly, and I realized with dread that it was my turn. I felt feverish, and realized that I was slightly shaking. I peered down over the cliff, and noticed how far up I was. Should I take this risk to conquer my fear? After much deliberation I decided that I would. With all of my friends cheering me on, I slowly walked to the edge of the cliff dragging my feet in the dust behind me. I then closed my eyes, and jumped. When I finally managed to open my eyes during the descent, I realized how incredibly beautiful the waterfall was. I let the spray of the water brush my fingertips, and felt completely, utterly happy. Now, looking back on this experience, I was so glad that I had my friends and counselors to help support me because without them, I might never had conquered my fear. I felt so immensely proud of myself for not letting my fears control my experience at camp, and now am so excited to return to camp next year so that I can try this activity again!”

Thanks again for your submission, Catherine! What a great illustration you created of this triumphant moment at camp! For anyone else interested in Gold Arrow Camp, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest is in full swing for this year. We’ve been announcing our seven lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog. Everyone who submitted receives a $15 gift certificate and seven lucky winners receive larger prizes of $25, $50, and the grand prize of $100. Today and tomorrow, we’re announcing our two winners of the $50 gift certificates! Today’s winner is….

Wendy K.!

Congratulations, Wendy! You’re our first $50 prize winner! Wendy’s daughter has fallen in love with Chippewa Ranch Camp and wants to stay longer and longer each year. Read all about it in Wendy’s entry:“My daughter’s first experience with overnight camp was when we picked up her big brother from camp when she was 8. She immediately decided that camp was not for her after seeing the cabins—especially the showers! Unfortunately, camp wasn’t all that amazing for my son either as during his second year, there was a tragic accident and when he then switched to a new camp for his third year they were quarantined with whooping cough! That was understandably the end of camp for him and my daughter was now fully convinced that camp was no good. But, some friends talked to her about how much they loved their camps so she said she would possibly be interested in Chippewa Ranch Camp. Cliff and Sari came to talk to her about it and, although still unsure, agreed to give it a try. Her first summer was excellent and she couldn’t wait to go back the next summer. By her third summer, she wanted to go 8 weeks. That’s when I regretted my decision to send her to Chippewa. Did camp have to be that amazing that she wanted to be away from us for 8 long weeks? We grudgingly let her go, and came to visit Chippewa for the first time over parents weekend. Then it all became clear. I certainly would also want to stay as long as possible at this summer paradise—friendship, fun, independence, learning new skills and the freedom to just be a kid. I was a camper and I liked it fine, but as a parent I have definitely drank the Chippy Kool-Aid! It’s a magical place!”

Thanks again for your submission, Wendy. Sounds like camp is a blast for your daughter/ I’m glad she likes camp more than your son! For anyone else interested in Chippewa Ranch Camp, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Continuing our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest, we’re excited to share each submission on the Blog. Everyone who submitted receives a $15 gift certificate and seven lucky winners will receive larger prizes of $25, $50, and the grand prize of $100. Today features the fourth winner of our $25 gift certificate. And the winner is….

Emme H.!

Congratulations, Emme! You’re our fourth $25 prize winner! Emme had a great summer stay at Camp Champions this year as she took a step up into her new role as a third-year MIDI. Read all about it in her entry—chock full of camp pride!

“This is my 3rd year and my first year as a MIDI. This meant that I have to take more risks (one of the 4 R’s at camp) because there are harder activities in this group. Because I wasn’t new, I was very comfortable at camp (P.S. I LOVE IT THERE! I made new friends (though I came with 4 great ones from Houston). I helped a girl, Kylie, who didn’t know anyone make new friends and included her in our group. She was one of my best friends at camp. I loved trying new things… I stood on a 20′ pole and my goal was to reach a trapeze about 5′ away. I didn’t reach it, but I will next year! I also tried the SCREAMER- It is 2 poles and you are attached with rope and they drop you and you swing. SO FUN!!! I also, zip lined, water skied, swam in the lake, danced, arts and crafts (favorite part was making our plaque for our cabin!). I learned Responsibility, Reaching out, taking Risks, and being Respectful.. I LOVE Camp Champions for all it gives me. I am so happy to be going again next year (my parents already paid!) and my little brother is going too!!”

Thanks again for your submission, Emme. Sounds like camp was a blast and you’re graciously moving into a more mature period of your life—it’s exciting! For anyone else interested in Camp Champions, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We’re very excited to post your ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest submissions to share with all our readers right here on the Blog. All participants receive a $15 gift certificate unless you’re one of our seven lucky winners in which case you’ll receive larger prizes of $25, $50, and the grand prize of $100. This week we’ll be announcing the first four winners of the $25 gift certificates—and today we have our third $25 winner….

Alexis S.!

Congratulations, Alexis! You’re our third contest winner! Alexis had a growing experience at Camp Lohikan this year. Faced with a challenge throughout her camp stay, she still found fun and friendship at camp. Read all about it in her heartfelt entry:
“This was my second year at Camp Lohikan and, as a bit of a backstory, last year was what made camp one of the happiest places ever to exist for me. It has been a place where I can be me and even though I only go for 2 weeks out of the year, it makes the whole rest of the year worth it. This year was different though. I got to camp after an entire year anticipating what was to come. And there was my best friend of eight, I repeat EIGHT years, sitting there with her new best friend of one year on a bunk bed in our cabin. Just to let you know I came this year under the full impression that I was coming with a whole new bunk to get to know. I did not know she would be coming and I am a firm believer in coming and meeting more people each year and to me camp is a way to escape actual life and be with people who are real and true. Getting back on track here, my heart broke in that moment. It is a fine thing but—my camp? My sacred place? Come on! I just found one friend in my cabin because every other girl there had a habit of gossiping and cussing more than any people I had ever known in my life. But I knew there was more to this place. I struggled for a week and was intending to continue to deal for the remaining time I was there. But one day I wrote my mom an email and it was nice and had notes that said that I didn’t like this year but as I sent it, I messed up and accidentally deleted it. I was at my final straw and when I rewrote the email, I got straight to the point and told her that my bunk was mean, no one was the same as last year, and I never wanted to come back. I then proceeded to leave the email house, go back to my cabin and cry for the good portion of an hour. At dinner my division director asked me to meet her in her office after dinner. She told me that my mom had called with concern and asked me if I wanted to switch cabins. I told her that I did and the rest is history because I again have so many friends, so many memories and this year was even better than last year and I can’t wait to go back next year and create more with he girl in my bunk. Shout out to 21A!!!!!”

Thanks again for your submission, Alexis. Sounds like a hard time at camp, but fun nevertheless. It always is! For anyone else interested in Camp Lohikan, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! Like last year, we had a good turn-out for our camp stories so, of course, we’re very excited to post these stories to share with all our readers right here on the Blog. Everyone who submitted receives a $15 gift certificate and seven lucky winners will receive larger prizes of $25, $50, and the grand prize of $100. This week I’m announcing the first four winners of the $25 gift certificates and today we’re sharing the second $25 winner’s story:

Jake V.!

Congratulations, Jake! You’re our second $25 prize winner! Jake spent some fun summer days at Round Lake Camp this year and had an awesome time, meeting fun camp mates. Read about it in his great submission.

“Over the past two years, Round Lake Camp has become my home away from home. I can’t lie, though, I was a little nervous the first time I got off the bus and stepped into ‘camp world.’ Would I have fun? Would I make friends? Would I feel homesick? My stomach was in knots as the bus left home and started making the long drive to camp. I listened to the other kids talk. It sounded like they all knew each other already. I was new though, so I stayed quiet. Then, we got to camp and we were greeted by friendly faces who helped us to our bunks. After I set up my bunk, I started to feel a little more comfortable. I introduced myself to my bunkmates and found that some of them actually liked the same things I like. That first day started out nerve wracking, but ended up being one of the happiest days that summer!

At Round Lake, I have made some awesome new friends. We share the same interests, like Star Wars and comic books. We share the same sense of humor and can easily laugh at the smallest things. It’s great to have friends outside of school. It’s almost like a secret society, or like I live a double life. That’s cool!

My favorite things to do at Round Lake are GaGa and archery. I’m one of the best GaGa players as no one can get me out. I’m usually the last one standing and some of the kids like to challenge me on a daily basis. It’s fun to be the champion! I’ve gotten really good at archery, too. It’s tricky, but it’s also relaxing. I like to get really quiet, concentrate on the target, and think about being one with the arrow. Those two sports are very different. GaGa is very loud and gets my adrenaline pumping, while archery is very quiet and helps me think. I like that I’m able to choose to be either loud or quiet at camp, as I think those are two very important sides of who I am.

Finally, Round Lake Camp is the best camp, not just because of all the friends you can make or activities you can do, but because you can be yourself there. If you are silly or serious, loud or quiet, it doesn’t matter. At Round Lake, it’s okay to be yourself. No one is going to judge you, make fun of you, bully you, or isolate you because of it. That’s why Round Lake has become my home away from home, and I’m counting down the days until next summer starts and I can go back!”

Thanks again for your submission, Jake. Sounds like camp was a blast yet again! Round Lake sounds like a great place with fun activities and fun people. For anyone else interested in Round Lake Camp, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John