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Logan’s sad summer is a touching tale

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Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing here at Everything Summer Camp has been brought in nearly 30 entries. And so, we’re happy 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 Logan T.’s camp story about an unfortunate turn of events during her summer camp stay at Camp Netimus:
Camp Netimus welcomes you.“I woke up hearing the beep of my watch. I slowly opened my eyes and remembered where I was, camp. I sat up in the bottom bunk and looked out at the half-exposed window. The beautiful sunrise was at its peak with a golden shimmer. I smiled, I just couldn’t help myself. I was surprised to hear a small groan. I turned to see Taylor in the bunk behind me rubbing her eye. “Good morning!” I whispered excitedly. Taylor yawned and asked quietly, “What time is it?” I glanced down at my watch and slipped a grin. “It’s 6:47,” I whispered. Taylor let out one last groan and fell back asleep. I took the time I had left before everyone else had to wake up to look around. I turned my attention towards Laura’s bed. She had came back late last night from peeling potatoes for International night. Today is her birthday. She is turning 22 years old. All the balloons we had put on her bed were now on the floor. I had so much excitement within me. Soon, the wake up bell rang and everyone got up. I was the first one done getting dressed and brushing my teeth. As soon as the flag bell rang I rushed out the door with my other cabin-mates. We gathered around the flag pole for attendance. Afterwards, we all went to breakfast. The mealtime was over quickly and I had to return to my cabin clean-up. Many of my cabin-mates were excited for the
Crayola trip today. I didn’t want to go so I will stay here at camp. I heard the class bell ring. I knew what that meant as I ran to my camping and hiking class. It turned out I was the only one there. “So…what are we going to do today?” I asked the counselors. “I don’t know. Are there any classes you have that you want to join now to get a head start?” answered one of the counselors. I thought for a second and responded, “ I could join my Ropes class.” They said that it was alright so I ran over quickly to get my harness and helmet on. Once I joined the little class they had, we went over instructions. We were going on a new obstacle today. They said I was lucky because in my real Ropes class I could go first since I would already know what to do. I grinned at the thought. Everything was going my way today. I rushed through 2nd and 3rd period classes. Once it was time for flag again we all met down at the pavilion. Once flag was over it was time for lunch. After some munching on grilled cheese it was time for rest hour. I walked up the path to get to the cabin grove. Once I found cabin 7 I went in. We were celebrating Laura’s birthday. The song ‘22’ was playing. Lucy, Taylor, Ashley, and I were dancing. While my other counselor, Arthie, was plucking her armpit hairs. We don’t know why she does it. Anyways, Lucy kept on screaming, “WHEN YOU’RE 22!” Laura kept on laughing. I was sitting down making her a birthday card. When the walkie-talkie make a sound, Arthie told me I was needed at the office. I wasn’t expecting anything, so what could I be needed for? I left the cabin and walked towards the office when I saw my mom and the dogs. I ran to hug them. The fact something bad happened slipped my mind. I looked at her face as her expression changed. I immediately got worried. It was obvious now something bad had happened. We went over to the fire ring and sat on a log bench. My mom simply said, “Grandpa Ron is dead. He committed suicide. He shot himself with a shotgun.” The tears never stopped. I felt as if I had been shot. I must have cried forever trying to make out words, but crying instead. Eventually my mom was crying too. We were just hugging and crying together. I had to stop crying enough in order to go get my clothes from my cabin. Thankfully, I didn’t have to tell them what happened. The office told them. I was immediately embraced by a huge group hug. I felt a tiny bit of happiness from that hug. Once all my stuff was packed and I was in the car I cried again. The week I was gone attending my grandpa’s funeral flew in tears. I returned back at camp to find myself in another group hug. It was at that moment where I knew that Camp Netimus was my home. I felt safe, loved, and happy there. If that’s not a home, then I don’t know what is.”

Thank you so much for your powerful submission, Logan! Our deepest regards to you and your family! An entry like this one just goes to show how outside events carry on regardless of summer camp. There’s no planning for the loss of loved ones.

But it was awesome to hear what an amazing community there is at Camp Netimus to have made Logan feel so supported and so at home. Check out Camp Netimus for yourself and, as always, thanks for reading.

 

- John


Rico stays a surprise week!

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Hey, Camp Fans!

The ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing here at Everything Summer Camp was a success! With an awesome response of nearly 30 entries, we’re happy 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 includes Rico L.’s camp story about his summer days at an n2 Overnight Camp:

“I am an only child so going away to camp was hard for me, especially not knowing anyone. My mom didn’t want me to worry about camp. She just told me it would go by quick and that I would make lots of friends. Well, originally, my mom told me 2 weeks which was fine at first. BUT when I got to camp and they told me “Well, this is going to be the best 3 fun-filled weeks,” I started to tear up!..my mom had signed me up for 3 weeks and didn’t know it. I was sad the first week, because I didn’t think I belonged or fit in. But it was my counselor and my camp mates that made me feel better. The first week was my birthday, I thought then I could have escaped and get to go home, to celebrate my birthday. Nope!! But I was happy that I got to talk with my parents on the phone. The best part was when the counselors woke me up at 1:00 am to celebrate my birthday, which made me feel even better. After this I knew I wanted to stay! We had cake and CANDY!! 12:00am birthday cake is always the best!YES SUGAR! My counselor and friends made me feel special. The best part about camp is the FREEDOM. We got to choose what we wanted to do each day. I like playing Rico shoots hoops with his camp friendsbasketball, which I played a lot with my friends. I actually had fun at camp, I am looking forward to next year and told my mom to sign me up for 4 weeks this time!”

Thanks again for your submission, Rico! Glad to hear that you stuck it out despite the surprise extra week you had. Though I was unable to find which specific camp Rico attended, it sounds like n2 overnight was great for him! And, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John


Grace and Samantha on camp

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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 campers’ submissions comin’ atcha. Read about the great time Grace K. had at Camp Lurecrest:
Lurecrest creates awesome changes“Hi! I’m Grace and I am 10 years old. I went to summer camp for the first time this summer. It was called Camp Lurecrest and I had so much fun. They picked us up on a big bus to drive us to camp. I had 4 friends in my cabin and met lots of new friends too. My favorite activities were tubing in the lake and zip lining and worship time. It was like a big sleepover for a week. The food was yummy too. I was worried I would not like it. They have a dessert called cookie mush- it was my favorite!! The counselors were so nice and funny. We did devotional every day together! I can’t wait to go again next summer.”

And here’s the entry from Samantha G. who had a wonderful time at Camp Eisner:Learn awesome things at Camp Eisner.“This was my first summer away at sleep away camp. I loved it. One of my counselors was named Ofek and was from Israel. She was doing a tick check on me one day and she told me to lift one arm, then the other, then she said, ‘let me see your poopick’. I laughed and said ‘what’. She said bellybutton, turns out poopick is Hebrew for bellybutton. At camp I tried lots of new things such as self-defense and lots of new foods like Israeli couscous. We went on trips to amusement parks and I loved making lots of new friends. My Olim buddy, Maddie, was awesome. She was so nice and took such good care of me. Now I have a new ‘big sister’ I cannot wait until next summer when I can go back the ‘bubble’ for more fun!”

Thanks for these submissions, ladies! It’s really great to hear that you two had such great summer camp experiences. To anyone else who may be interested in Camp Lurecrest or Camp Eisner, check them out for yourself. And, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John


Parker takes a chance on camp!

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Hey, Camp Fans!

The Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ drawing saw an excellent response with nearly 30 entries, so we’re happily publishing each and every 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 includes Parker P.’s camp story about his summer days at Camp Ridgecrest:
Get your camp on at Camp Ridgecrest for boys and girls.

“When I was four, my mom read me a story called The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp. I was fascinated with the idea of going to camp and began asking when I could go. She was surprised that as such a young child I would express an interest in camp, but I loved the idea of the outdoors, the adventure, and the excitement. Over the next couple of years, my mom became aware of Camp Ridgecrest for Boys and as soon as I entered first grade, she registered me to attend the next summer. I didn’t know anyone. She didn’t know anyone whose child had been. She drove me to camp. Helped me set up my bed and trunk area, and headed to her car to depart. I was a little overwhelmed and so was she. Neither of us anticipated how hard it would be to separate that first summer, but I am so glad that she trusted the plan and the camp staff. All throughout the week, she watched online for pictures of me. I don’t really like to be in pictures, so she was worried that I wasn’t having fun. When she picked me up and we got back in the car, she asked me about the experience. I said that I was glad I went. I was glad she was back to pick me up and go home. I was looking forward to coming back the next year for two weeks, and I asked if I could go for four weeks when I was older. I had immediately fallen in love with camp. Now after seven years at camp, I continue to look forward to camp as it’s the highlight of my summer. I hope to one day be a Little Chief (a camp honor) and then continue as a counselor after I am too old to be a camper.”

Thanks again for your submission, Parker! It’s great to hear that you and your mother put your trust into summer camp and that it ended up being such an enjoyable time for you! To anyone else who may be interested in Camp Ridgecrest, you can check it out sometime and, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John


No-electronics Alanna

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Hey, Camp Fans!

In the middle of July, I asked you guys to share your camp stories. We got a great response with nearly 30 entries so we’re happily publishing each and every submission right here on the Blog! Everyone who submitted got $15 gift certificates and seven lucky winners got larger prizes of $25, $50, and the grand prize of $100. Today I’m announcing our Grand Prize Winner! Drumroll, please……….

Alanna G.! Congratulations! You’re our first place winner! Alanna spent her summer at Beber Camp where she made great friends and got in touch with herself, leaving her phone, tablet, and other electronics behind. Check out what she had to say about camp in this honest entry from Alanna:
Alanna loved Beber, how 'bout you?

“‘The journey of 1000 smiles starts with 72 steps.’ I have attended B’nai B’rith Beber Camp for 5 years. There is no place I’d rather be. You make so many friends, new and old! The friends you make aren’t just with campers. You develop bonds with the staff. They come from near and far with so many different and unique talents.

Phones are a HUGE part of teenagers’ lives today. However, at Beber, there is a ‘no screen’ policy. So, there are no phones. From personal experience, it is so amazing to be without my phone and learn to appreciate the people that I don’t get to see every day. It also helps me define who I am as a person. I have learned so many new things about myself and others.

The traditions at camp are so amazing and special. No matter if we are all at flagpole chanting ‘Tucked Away’, or if we are singing our hearts out at a Friday night song session it is always fun and memorable!

Lastly, my favorite time at camp is havdalah. The whole camp gathers together in the amphitheater and every cabin shares something special about their week and then we conclude with havdalah, the lighting of the candle and the end of the Sabbath.

But… there is more than just that. It’s the community coming together! Everyone cares for each other at camp and it is really special to say that I go to Beber Camp!

In conclusion, there is no place better than B’nai B’rith Beber Camp. People work so hard to make sure we are having fun, and they do an AMAZING job!!

LO~HE~HA
(love, health, and happiness)”

Thanks again for your submission, Alanna. We’re happy to hear that your summer was such a success! For anyone else interested in Camp Beber, you can check it out right here. And, as always, thanks for reading!

 

- John