Hey, Camp Folks!

We greatly appreciate all the camp stories you've shared for our 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. These stories are great and we're eagerly looking forward to presenting them to our online community. Every submission will be featured right here on the Blog! The next post is from Amy B. who loves sending her son to Surprise Lake Camp. Read her reflections of her son’s time at camp right here:

“My son always had a tough time at school. He struggled through homework, social situations and the demands of sitting still all day. When he finally turned 9, I was excited that he was old enough to go to sleep away camp, as I felt it was a piece missing from his life that would give him confidence, freedom to be himself, and absolutely pure joy to be a child—without screens, devices, and video games. I’m eternally grateful to be able to send him and watch him flourish.”


Hi, Amy! It sounds like camp has been an amazing opportunity for your son to truly thrive in an environment that lets him just be a kid. I love how sleepaway camp gave him the confidence and joy to embrace new experiences away from screens and school pressures. We’re so glad he found a space where he can be himself and have fun. We hope camp continues to bring him growth and happiness in the years to come! Thank you so much for sharing your story!

For anybody else, if you’re interested in the summer fun and personal growth that Amy’s son has enjoyed, you can check out the Surprise Lake Camp’s website when you click right here. There are more stories to come next week! As always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks! Till next time.


- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Are you stuck on summer camp? Us too! Good thing we have all these camp stories to keep the camp spirit alive all year. We’re sharing the fantastic stories from our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest right here on the Everything Summer Camp Blog. Each entry brings its own special piece of camp magic and it’s been great sharing them with the whole community!

Today, we’re excited to spotlight a fun entry from Margaret S., who sent in her great experiences going to Camp Ozark. Enjoy this account of her adventurous summers that starts right now…

“My name is Margaret and this was my 4th year at camp Ozark (I’m a proud Osage). I go every year for a week. This year my cabin was in a different section of camp that I had never been in before, and I was super nervous. Immediately when I met my counselors they were welcoming and nice to me. I was worried because a lot of the people in my cabin knew each other already. Eventually, I became friends with most of them and really enjoyed my time at camp. My advice for first time campers: always be yourself, and there are going to be people to help you if you are confused or lost at camp. I’m really sad now that I left, so make sure to enjoy your time while you are at camp!”


Hi Margaret! Wow, four years at Camp Ozark—that's amazing! It’s great to hear how welcoming your counselors were and how you made new friends, even in a new section of camp! It’s totally normal to feel nervous, but it sounds like you had a blast once you got settled in. Your advice for first-time campers to always be themselves and not worry because help is always around is spot-on! Thanks so much for sharing your story, and I hope you have just as much fun next year!

All our other readers can click here to check out Camp Ozark to enjoy some summers like Margaret has had! We have more camp stories to share so keep coming back and, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!


- John

Hey there, Music Lovers!

Let's talk about Benny Benjamin, a drumming hero who made absolute music MAGIC! Benny was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 25, 1925. He was like a superhero of drums from a young age. Everyone called him ‘Papa Zita’, a playful nickname that stuck with him throughout his career.

Benny played the drums in a special band called The Funk Brothers—the secret weapon behind all the awesome music at Motown Records. Benny's drumming was so cool that even famous people like The Beatles loved it.

He learned to play the drums in a jazzy style back in the 1940s. Then, in 1958, Benny joined Motown Records as their very first studio drummer. Everyone at Motown loved Benny's drumming so much that they didn't want to make any music without him!

The Funk Brothers were like a dream team of musicians who played all kinds of instruments. They made pretty much all the music for the ENTIRE genre of Motown. Can you believe that?

Even though Benny passed away on April 20, 1969, his drumming legacy lives on. People still listen to his awesome beats and feel the joy he brought to the music world.

Did you play any instruments during your camp stay this summer season? Maybe you tried your hand at the drums like Benny Benjamin, or perhaps you discovered a passion for another instrument. Many summer camps offer music programs where campers can explore their musical talents, including percussion.

Music has the power to bring people together and create unforgettable memories, just like the rhythm Benny brought to countless Motown hits. As we celebrate the legacy of Benny Benjamin and his impact on percussion music, let's also remember the joy and creativity that music brings to our lives, whether at summer camp or beyond. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next drumming legend!

 

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Still thinking about summer camp? You’re in luck! So are we and we’re keeping the camp spirit alive all year by sharing the fantastic stories from our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest right here on the Everything Summer Camp Blog. Each entry brings its own special piece of camp magic and it’s been great sharing them with the whole community!

Today, we’re excited to spotlight a fun entry from Amy C. M., who sent in her memorable experiences from Camp Westminster in Michigan. Dive into her adventure and relive the camp fun with us!
“I went to camp for about 7 summers for a week or more each time. It was a highlight in my summer! My favorite part was being with friends 24/7 for a week. My favorite activity was horseback riding. I also loved worshipping God.

My camp was rustic: no a/c, we had to go to the bathhouse to use the bathroom, no screens, simple cabins with cement floors. Georgia summers are hot and humid. I loved the simplicity and the connection to nature.”


What an awesome camp experience! It’s amazing that you got to spend seven summers at camp—what a special tradition! Being with friends 24/7 and connecting with nature, especially through horseback riding, sounds like the perfect way to spend your summers. And worshipping together in that rustic, no-frills setting must have made everything feel even more meaningful. Thank you for sharing your story with us, and we hope you keep making unforgettable memories at camp for many years to come!

For everyone else, you can look into Camp Westminster for yourself by clicking here if you’re interested in a Georgia getaway like Amy has had. Check back in with us for the next camp story we share and, as always, thanks for reading!


- John

Hey, Camp Friends!

The stories keep coming from this past summer and the Everything Summer Camp annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We’re thrilled to spotlight each entry on our Blog, celebrating the unique experiences of campers everywhere. Today, we’re sharing a short entry from EG C., who wrote in to tell us about her first year going to summer camp. Here’s her submission:


“I had a great time at camp! It was my first time. At first I was really nervous, but after the first night I was fine. My counselors and Village Directors were soooo nice. I loved my cabin too! I loved the activities and free time. I had a blast at camp! I can’t wait to go next year!”


Thank you so much for sharing your camp story with us, EG! It's awesome to hear that, even though you were nervous at first, you ended up having such a great time. It sounds like your counselors and Village Directors really helped make your first camp experience super special, and we're soooo glad you enjoyed your cabin and all the fun activities. We're thrilled to hear you're already looking forward to next year—you’re definitely a true camper now!

Thanks again for sharing, and we can’t wait to hear all about your next adventure! If anyone else would like to look into Camp Crestridge for Girls, click right here to have a look around their website. There’s more camp stories to come yet, so keep coming back. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans! Till next time.


- John