Hey, Camp Folks!

We’re continuing ahead with our trove of enthralling tales from summer camp as we delve into the abundant stories we received from campers for our annual 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest here at Everything Summer Camp! We're publishing each submission individually, right here on our Blog and today, we're delighted to introduce Talia K., who filled us in on her exciting summer journey at Camp Timber Tops this past summer. The adventure kicks off right now:

“I remember hearing the word “Banquet” for the first time at Timber Tops, a mountain camp for girls, I didn't know what it was. I was so confused, for 2 WHOLE weeks I was thinking to myself what's banquet, and why is everyone so excited?

So finally I asked my counselor, and she told me all about it! (I remembered how my jaw almost dropped in excitement). Basically, banquets where the 9th graders at camp throw a huge party for the CAs and it can be any theme, you just all have to agree on it!

Every bunk is named after a tree, mine was called spruce, my sister’s was juniper, and my friend’s was Palm court. Last year the CA’s bunk was called Salix, and the theme for the banquet was Salix’s story book. So this year’s banquet theme was going to be Torreye’s something. I couldn’t wait! Finally, the day of the banquet had come, we had to eat outside because the 9th graders were decorating the dining hall. At shower time everyone started getting super excited and everyone in my bunk (including me) tried to guess the theme. I had guessed Torreye’s toy story. One girl guessed Torreye takes a trip! I couldn’t wait! As soon as it was time for dinner, all of the bunks lined up outside of the dining hall. The 9th grade stood in 2 lines at the front of the dining hall, as they called the bunks, I got ready to race up the stairs into a new world of decorations, food, and balloons! And then I heard the head staff announce “bunk spruce you can go inside.” I stepped through a black curtain and looked around me, I couldn’t believe that this was the dining hall! I sat down and looked at the menu. It was all Inside out inspired food and Inside out decorations.

Banquet was a very important day for me because it was a party representing the CAs moving on and being counselors next year. The CAs also showed me the camp's most important features, they also were always kind to all the campers, and I can't believe that in 4 years I will also experience the sadness of having my last year of camp.”

Hi, Talia! I guess those guys at Camp Timber Tops really know how to have a good time! I’m sure you, your bunkmates of Bunk Spruce, the CA’s, and everyone else in attendance enjoyed an unforgettable time at the Inside-Out Banquet! Savor those next four summers, Talia. Perhaps you’ll continue at Timber Tops as a counselor. Thanks for writing in to us!

Are you looking to party it up, Camp Timber Tops style like in Talia’s story? Take a closer look at Timber Tops when you click right here! Thanks for reading, Everyone! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

We've been sharing your camp stories since September but—don’t worry—there’s a treasure trove of captivating tales as we dive deeper into our collection of entries into our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp! Join us on our Blog as we publish each submission individually. Today, we’ll hear from Gigi S., who is about to take you on an exciting journey through her unforgettable summer escapade at Camp Highlander. The adventure begins now:

“My name is Gigi, and I’m 12 years old, and went to Camp Highlander this summer. I had a wonderful camp experience, like when I went on a thing called “the swing”—part of a really high ropes course that they call Crow’s Nest. The swing is on a platform that would be higher than a typical house, and usually people jump off, but I sat too close to the edge, so the weight of the swing pulled me off! I also did a thing they call Color War. The teams were red & black (Red Dragons) and blue & white (Blue Knights). When I found out that I was a Red Dragon, I was so excited! I ran to my team and gave them high fives. I also liked riflery, arts & crafts and all of the other fun activities they had there. And loved all the new friends I made. I had an amazing time at camp, and can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Hey, Gigi! That’s great to hear that your summer camp stay was so much fun this year. Summer camp is all about making friends and having fun so I’m glad you had your share of both! Pretty funny surprise that the Crow’s Nest gave you! Sounds like you and the rest of the Red Dragons had fun in the Color War! And it’s great that you enjoyed the rest of the fun curriculum they have at Camp Highlander! Thanks for writing in to us, Gigi!

Do you want to try the fun times at Camp Highlander like Gigi? Take a closer look when you click right here! Thanks for reading, Everyone! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Lovers!

We've got a bunch more stories in store from the Everything Summer Camp 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest! We're presenting each submission individually on our Blog, one by one. Next up, we have Emma P., sharing her thrilling summer journey at Independent Lake Camp. Keep reading—her camp adventure starts right now:

“I really love acro and gymnastics, and was so excited to go away to Camp for the first time this year. Independent Lake Camp has a giant flying trapeeze right next to the lake and soon as I saw the camp video, I couldn’t wait to try it.

When I went to the first time camper picnic in June, I finally had my chance. Except when I started to go up the ladder, I realized how high in the sky it was. I just couldn’t do it, even though I wanted to more than anything. Then when I arrived at camp in August, I chose aerial adventures as one of my 3 primes. I learned to do all sorts of obstacle courses up high and they started to feel pretty easy.

So then, at the end of my first week at camp, I decided to try the trapeeze again. I made so many great friends in my bunk who were there to cheer me on and, even though it still felt really up in the air, I did it!

I can’t wait to go back next year and I might even join the trapeze fly team.”

Hi, Emma! Nice job achieving your first summer camp experience. Heights certainly have their way of creating fun, yet frightening situations, don’t they? I watched the Independent Lake video too just to see how high this trapeeze ladder went. You weren’t lyin’! That thing just keeps going up! Bravo on giving it another try at the end of your week at camp. Good luck on the Fly Team if you join and thanks for sharing your story with us, Emma.

Do you want to try out the giant trapeeze like Emma did? Take a closer look at Independent Lake Camp when you click right here Check out their camp video below as well. Thanks for reading, Everyone! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

ILC Circus Department from Independent Lake on Vimeo.

Hey, Camp Lovers!

There are many more stories to share from the Everything Summer Camp 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest! We're showcasing each submission individually on our blog, one at a time. Up next is JL W., who has written to us about her summer experience at Sky Ranch Camp:

“I just got home from my first ever week at summer camp! I attended Sky Ranch in Van, TX. I was nervous about being away from my family for a whole week. I missed them but I had so much fun! I got to make new friends and my best friend and a few other friends went with me! 4 of us had matching trunks so that was really cool. Our camp had a dress up day each evening and that was really fun!! We got to swim and do water slides and it had a private lake where we got to ride on boats and do the blob and do the water obstacle course!! My favorite thing about camp was my counselors! They were all so nice and encouraging and taught us lots of things and helped us strengthen our relationships with God!! I miss the counselors the most and hope I will get to back next Summer!”

Hi, JL! Way to go on completing your first summer camp experience. It’s clear that you had an awesome time during your stay at Sky Ranch Camp. Sky Ranch sounds like a really special place with lots of fun things to do and the nicest people to meet. I’m glad you had such good counselors and that they were so helpful—especially for your first year. Here’s to next summer! Thanks for sending your submission in to us, JL.

Go ahead and check out Sky Ranch Camp if this is a camp you’re interested in. Give them a closer look when you click right here. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

“As summer approached, my heart couldn't help but swell with a mix of pride, worry, and excitement. My daughter, Carmen, had reached that age where she was eager to spread her wings and experience new things... one of which was overnight summer camp.

When we started packing I honestly didn't know where to start. Sunscreen was top of the list, and everything else fell into place thanks to many Google searches and online purchases.

We decorated our car before leaving for Pine Cove and I knew the butterflies in Carmen's tummy were fluttering more and more the closer we got. As we drove into camp the counselors lined the streets greeting all the cars and the energy was incredible. I know right then and there she'd have the best week ever!

I went to say goodbye to Carmen, expecting an emotional goodbye, but she had already started playing with friends and gave a short and sweet bye and look like 'Mom, I'm fine. I've got this.' And she did!

I'm grateful for all of the pictures that flooded my Pine Cove app all week long to see what Carmen and her friends were up to. I think I refreshed the app 1,000 times a day, and every smile made it worth the while!

Unfortunately 2 nights - 36 hours - before camp pick-up I received the dreaded call from the Camp Medic. Carmen wasn't hurt, but had a fever which turned out to be strep throat. She was devastated to leave early, but for the safety and health for her and her friends, there wasn't any choice.

I picked her up early, the only camper to leave, and you never would have guessed she felt so awful and she sang songs and told me all the funny camp stories on the 2 hour drive home. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself genuinely excited for her.

Once we returned home she slept the longest I've ever seen her sleep... dreaming of camp and kicking the strep throat blues away. Though cut 2 nights short, this was the best first camp experience I could have imagined for my Carmen. The summer of 2023 was a first step toward my firstborn's independence, and a reminder that my little girl is blossoming into a remarkable young woman right before my eyes.”

That’s beautiful, Christy! What a great summer camp experience for Carmen (save the strep)! Poor girl—strep is the worst! But what a testament to her wonderful time at camp that she didn’t even let it show upon pickup—just shared songs and stories from her camp stay. I’m glad her first year of Pine Cove Camp was such a success for Carmen. Thanks for sharing with us, Christy.

Is anybody else interested in checking out Pine Cove Camp? Give this camp a closer look when you click right here. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John