Hey, Camp Fans!
We received more than 40 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp and I’ve been happily plugging away at publishing each one of them right here on the Blog to share with all our readers!
Today's camp story submission comes from Jessica B., who wrote in to point out the differences between her daughter’s modern camp days at Camp Zeke and her own summer camp stays from the now defunct Camp Hillel.
“It's a whole new world of camping these days--
My day:
Packed huge bags of snacks and every kind of candy imaginable
Nowadays: No outside food allowed at camp
My day:
Camp mystery meat and bug juice
Nowadays: salad bar and make your own smoothies
My day: My mom spent hours and hours putting together packages of games and snacks to send to me
Nowadays: No packages allowed
My day: super important to have the 'right jeans' the right accessories etc
Nowadays: crocs with socks and pjs to night activity
My day: 8 weeks away was the only option
Nowadays: 1, 2, 3 and 6 week sessions
My day: making a friend a state away involved writing letters and attempting to stay in touch
Nowadays: Bunk WhatsApp groups immediately after camp
My day: peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
Nowadays: Totally nut free”
Summer camp certainly has changed throughout the years. Simpler times provided a more rustic, chancy, and low-tech experience than what kids are shown nowadays. Despite all the changes you can point out, though, summer camp is still summer camp—fun factories for kids where they can make plenty of friends, memories, and milestones in personal growth. Thanks for sharing, Jessica.
For anyone else, check out Zeke to see if it might be the right place for you. As always, thanks for reading!
- John