Hey, Camp Fans!

Bringing in about 30 entries The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing from last summer here at Everything Summer Camp saw a great response that made us 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 features Norah D.’s camp story which talks about a much needed two-week-stay she had at
“Hi, I’m Norah. I am 10 years old and according to my Mom, going on 16. I just got back from Camp Eagle Ridge in Mellen, WI. Those two weeks of camp were the BEST weeks of my life.

You see, my little brother William, who I affectionately call my Little Bother, has Down Syndrome, Autism and seizure disorder. William has taught me more than I’ve taught him. He has taught me patience, unconditional love, empathy and understanding of those who are different.

My Mom and Dad do their best to give both William and I equal time. I know my Mom and Dad love me so much, but William does take a lot of their time. I get it! My Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when William was just 15 months old. M.S. has taught our whole family patience and caring. My Mom had to leave her career of 25 years because of M.S..

It sometimes makes her very tired, unable to walk, or unable to remember things. My Mom is the strongest person I know. She laughs at herself and let’s us all just relax. Even if she is tired or weak, she still finds time for me and William.

Which brings us to camp. Camp gives me TWO WEEKS JUST ABOUT ME! It’s like reverse respite for me. It allows me to do what ever activities I want. I get to try so many new things that I’d otherwise never have a chance to. I get to meet new friends from all over. I think these friends will be part of my life forever! I miss my family when at camp, but I am learning so much and becoming a leader when at camp. Camp has taught me so many Leadership Skills.

From deciding what activity to do, to working as a team during some games, trusting in other friends or just listening to others ideas. These skills will help me forever. In Grade School, High School, College and my career.

My family’s love, guidance, patience and honor, along with the leadership skills, independence and self confidence I learn at camp, will help me to succeed in everything I am presented with in life.

I love my Family and I love Camp!

Sincerely,
Norah D.”

Thanks again for your submission, Norah! I’m glad you got a chance to take a break from your family (as much as you may love them). Summer camp is great for showing you a different side of living than what you’re used to! Your family sounds so strong and close-knit! It must have been good to get back to them when your two weeks came to an end. To anyone else interested in Camp Eagle Ridge, be sure to check it out sometime and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing here at Everything Summer Camp has brought in about 30 entries! It was a great response that made us 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—so really everyone who submitted is a winner! Today’s post features Suzanne P.’s camp entry which reminisces about her magical camp stay now that her daughter is following in her footsteps at “Everything I remember about summer camp was absolutely amazing! Being nestled on the banks of Lake Fairfield for the summer was magical. I loved listening to the frogs serenade us at night and the fairies that flew by our cabins lighting up the night. When I return in the summers now with my daughter, the same magic returns. She now experiences all that Merrie Woode has to offer. One of my most precious memories was the torch coming in from the lake for opening campfire, signifying the beginning of the session. At the end of the session, I loved watching the torch go back to the lake to rest for the long winter months. Along with the torch, each camper would send a single candle onto the lake allowing the light in them to go out to the rest of world. It was a gorgeous site to see!”

Thanks again for your submission, Suzanne! Sounds like your summer camp days played a very important and memorable role in your life. It’s great to hear that your daughter is getting the same, magical summer camp experience that you had as a kid. To anyone else interested in Camp Merrie-Woode, you can check it out right here. As always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

The Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing saw an excellent response with nearly 30 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 Ray M. as well as Louie B.! Their entries are both on the shorter side, but you can tell there wasn’t any shortage of fun at the camps they attended.

Here’s what Ray had to say about his stay at
“The funnest time for me at camp was when I got a black eye from a paddle stick. Not so much the black eye, but the paddle boarding. Because it was so much fun, the black eye at the end was worth it. I didn’t even cry. I paddled in the beautiful lake with my camp so-called friend. No name mentioned. JP and I became best friends at camp. We liked each other because we hung out and laughed a lot. My best friends at camp were JP and William. We were always hanging out together. We saw deer at camp while we were playing Frisbee. That was fun too. I like camp because I did a lot of activities that I usually don’t do. I’m hoping to win the dance-off next year.”

And here’s the entry from Louie B. about the time he spent at Beber Camp.
“My time at Beber was fun, it was the best EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved camp. I stayed four weeks because it was super fun. I did the rookie 2 week trial and I was able to stay longer. I loved my hobbies. They were fun. My favorite hobbies were Aqua Park and Recording Studio. Next summer I want to try other hobbies like water skiing and sailing. I love Beber Camp. So much FUN!!!!!!!!!! I am going to go again next year. I loved that my camp was only Jewish. Shabbat was fun. One thing that they should have is Radio Tower, where you get to choose music for the camp radio. The cabins should have a radio speaker for the camp radio. Super Cool!!!!! LOVE BEBER CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite memory from camp was a sneak out to the library to watch a movie. We snuck Gatorade and popcorn for a goodbye party to the campers in my cabin who only stayed for 2 weeks. I can’t wait to see all my new friends next year!”

Ray, I’m glad you didn’t let the black eye spoil your time at camp. Good luck on next year’s dance-off! And, Louie, sounds like you pretty much fell in love with Beber. I’m glad it was such a hit that you stayed an extra two weeks! Way to embrace the summer camp spirit! If anyone else is interested in one of these camps, you can check out Camp Sloane YMCA right here and check out Beber Camp right here! As always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing here at Everything Summer Camp brought in almost 30 entries! What a great response—which is exactly why 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 features Ella B.’s camp story about her physical and spiritual summer experience at

“Step after step. I pause to wipe the sweat off my brow using the back of my hand. I can hear my heart pounding, feel the blood coursing through my veins. I am so close to the summit, I can feel it. But standing between me and the top of Mt. Canon is a huge, almost perfectly vertical slab of rock, it’s cold and cruel voice mocking me. I take a deep breath and start to scale the boulder in front of me, gasping as my feet suddenly lose their grip and I plummet to the ground. I latch on to a tree on the way down, my white-knuckled hand rapidly losing hold. I use all of my strength to pull myself onto a shelf in the cliff. Once I catch my breath and the immediate threat is gone, I smile, adrenaline running through me like a drug. I scramble back on to the mountain and continue up the path. As soon as I climb to my feet, I see the summit, the sweet resting place I was looking for. I rush over, and collapse. Grinning, I reach into my backpack and grab my water bottle and throw a handful of trail mix into my mouth. The view is worth it. Not a soul in sight, with only the sky and the sweet smell of pine riding across the breeze to keep you company. The clouds lazily drift across the sky like a boat in the sea. I feel so small and so big at the same time. I close my eyes and let all my worries melt away.

‘Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.’ – John Green”

Thanks again for your submission, Ella! It’s great to hear that you had such an active camp stay that provided you with a cool connection to the great outdoors! To anyone else interested in Camp Arcadia, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing here at Everything Summer Camp has brought in about 30 entries! It was a great response! That’s why 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—so really everyone who submitted was a winner! Today’s post features Sophie M.’s camp entry about her productive and educational summer stay at Sjolunden Swedish Language Village:“Through Concordia College in Moorhead Minnesota, I have had the privilege to attend their Swedish Immersion Camp in Bemidji, Minnesota for six years. This past year was my first year as a high school credit student, which means I earned high school credit for my language learning. With 180 hours of instruction in Swedish, I passed with an A! After five years of being a two-week camper, I was finally a “big kid”. Sjolunden is always the most special part of my year, but this first year filled with learning, fun, and lifelong friends will always stand out in my mind. This camp is a passion, a love, and my second home. It will always be a part of me and my childhood. This camp means the world to me, and I can’t wait to be a counselor in four years! My friends from all around the world and the counselors from all around the world make it all worth it. I love my summer camp, and can’t wait to go back next year!”

Thanks again for your submission, Sophie! It’s great to hear that you are so driven to learn! I hope you have a great time next year at Sjolunden. To anyone else interested in Sjolunden Swedish Language Village, you can check it out right here. As always, thanks for reading!

- John