What’s up, Camp Fans?!

We've been delighted with all the great camp stories you sent in for our 'Share Your Camp Story' Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. You outdid yourselves this year, campers! These stories are fantastic and I’m eager to share them with our online community! Each submission will be getting posted right here on the Blog!

I’ve finished announcing our ten lucky winners who took larger prizes and now we’re ready to share the rest of the submissions we received. The following post is from Vanessa H. who wrote in to tell us about her experience sending her daughter to Camp Crestridge. Check out her submission right here:

“This summer was my daughter’s first sleep away camp experience. We drove 7 hours to Camp Crestridge in the Black Mountains of North Carolina. When we pulled up to the camp, the counselors greeted us with big smiles and excitement, and my eyes started to tear up with happiness for the amazing adventure in store for my daughter. As we walked up to my daughter’s cabin, memories of my sleep away camp days starting popping into my head—making new friends, swimming in the lake, singing camp songs around a big campfire, and all the awesome camp activities and games. Fast forward two weeks and I was reunited with a very confident girl who had met so many girlfriends, who demonstrated leadership skills along with the girls in her cabin to the extent that their cabin was named honor cabin, who tried so many different camp activities and games and grew in her relationship with the Lord! My daughter grew so much in her independence, confidence and faith. She can’t wait to go back next year! I am so thankful for this sleep away camp experience for my daughter and look forward to many more summer camp experiences!”

Thanks for this great submission, Vanessa! It’s great to hear that your daughter’s camp stay was such a success! Sounds like she had a blast and took to some wonderful personal growth during her time away. The easy, natural environment of camp certainly lends itself to making that deeper connection with Nature, God, and Self.

Camp Crestridge sounds really cool. If anyone else would like to check it out closer, you can do so by clicking right here. As always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Adventurers!

As campers sat around a fire, taking turns sharing stories of their summer camp adventures, one of them recounted journeying deep into a forest to find a hidden waterfall. The tale was full of treacherous terrain and unexpected obstacles they encountered. It wasn't the easiest path to take, but it was the road less traveled. The campers listen intently, captivated by the sense of adventure and courage it took to explore such uncharted territories.

Just like these campers, the phrase "take the road less traveled" embodies the spirit of embracing challenges and forging your own path. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and discover new possibilities. But where did this phrase originate, and why has it become so popular?

From the poem "The Road Not Taken" by renowned American poet, Robert Frost, this poem resonated with readers and became an instant classic. Published in The Atlantic Monthly in August 1915, the poem's opening line, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood," sets the stage for the exploration of choices and individuality.

Frost's poem encourages us to step away from the crowd and venture into uncharted territories. The idea behind taking the road less traveled is to seek out new experiences, challenge the status quo, and forge our own unique journey in life—just like at summer camp!

Summer campers are encouraged to try new things, explore their interests, and break free from the confines of routine. Whether it's attempting a daring outdoor activity, participating in a talent show, or engaging in a new art form, camp provides a supportive environment for campers to take the road less traveled.

Summer camp is a place where individualism is celebrated and personal growth is nurtured. It offers a break from the pressures of conformity, allowing campers to discover their true passions and interests. By taking the road less traveled, campers learn to embrace uncertainty, overcome challenges, and build resilience. The road less traveled at camp might mean trying a new activity, making friends outside of one's usual social circle, or pushing a camper’s own personal boundaries. 

But how did this phrase become so popular? Well, it’s a really great poem: 

Over time, "take the road less traveled" has evolved into a cultural symbol, inspiring people to think outside the box and follow their own path. It has become a mantra for those who seek adventure, value authenticity, and dare to be different.

Embrace the spirit of adventure! Take the road less traveled and see where it leads you. As Robert Frost so eloquently put it, "I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Embrace the road less traveled at summer camp and create a truly extraordinary experience. Happy trails, adventurers!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Throughout the month I’ve been announcing the winners to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest. And, today, the time has come to reveal our grand prize winner for this year’s edition. Find out right here and right now. The winner of our $500 gift certificate is….

Arnold M.!

Awesome!!! Congratulations, Arnold. You’re our grand prize winner!!! Arnold wrote in to tell us about his experience at Camp Mowglis. Read his account of the fun camp stay right here on today’s Blog post:

“This was my first time going to camp and I was feeling nervous. I didn’t know anyone except one friend. I have never even visited the camp before so I didn’t know what it would be like. It is a 7 week camp, but my mom signed me up for only the first 4 weeks. After only 2 weeks I wrote my mom a letter to ask if I could stay for the whole 7 weeks and she said yes! I wanted to stay because I really enjoyed my time at Camp Mowglis. I did activities like archery, tennis, canoeing, mountain biking, arts and crafts, hiking, camping, and swimming, but the activity I loved the most was archery. I even got a trophy for winning the Junior Fencing Tournament. I can’t wait to go back to camp next year. I hope I will earn some ribbons for some of the activities.”

Thanks for this great submission, Arnold! We’re so glad to hear how much you loved your time at Camp Mowglis. Seven weeks is a LONG time to be away from home—especially for your first time away at summer camp. But the camp life is a persuasive animal once the hook is set. Way to go embracing your time away from home! Have fun in the years to come!

For anyone else interested in Camp Mowglis, you can check it out right here. That concludes our big prize winners, but stay tuned each week when we publish our participants’ submissions so you can catch all the great entries we received this year. As always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s the Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We’re in full swing for this year, announcing our lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog. Today, I’m announcing our second $200 gift certificate winners! Today’s winner is….

Ashley G.!

Congratulations, Ashley! You’re our Second Place Winner of a $200 gift certificate to our one-stop camping gear shop! Ashley gives us her story of sending her daughter off for a summer stay at Emma Kaufmann Camp in West Virginia. Read about it in her Contest entry right here:

“I started this story six times! There are so many things I can say about sleep away camp. I LOVED my own time at Jewish summer camp and this year I sent my daughter for the first time. It took some pushing to get her to want to go to camp and be away from mommy and daddy.

At drop off, she wanted the goodbye moment to be as short as possible. She was so anxious, I didn't expect that. I cried as soon as she walked away. The first few days I felt like I was missing something everywhere I went. Everyone talks about how amazing it is to have time to yourself, but really there is a loss to adjust to.

It was nice to know I wasn't alone, as I connected with another mom the camp director had introduced me to, and once the smiling pictures started rolling in, I relaxed a bit. When I went to pick my daughter up two weeks later and she said, "Now that I've seen you I'd like to stay," I knew pushing her to go was one of the best things I'd done as a mom. I've already signed up both my kids for next year!”

It’s wonderful to hear how well camp went this season, Ashely! Emma Kaufmann Camp sounds like it was a great place for your daughter. You must have been so proud of her and yourself when she asked to extend her stay! It’s great that you had another camp mother to confide in during your daughter’s stay. It’s certainly difficult to see your child off for time away from home, but you did a great job getting through it!

Be sure to come back on Monday when we reveal our Grand Prize Winner for our 'Share Your Camp Story Contest'! To anybody else interested in Emma Kaufmann Camp, you can check it out by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s the Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We’re in full swing for this year, announcing our lucky winners and sharing their stories right here on the Blog. Today, I’m announcing our first $200 gift certificate winner! Today’s winner is….

Imogen S.!

Congratulations, Imogen! You won a $200 gift certificate to our one-stop camping gear shop! Imogen gives us her story of her time at Camp Chinqueka this summer in Washington, Connecticut. Read about it in her Contest entry right here:

“I remember one hot summer day, I was at my day camp and my friends told me about this camp called Chinqueka. I was curious, so when I got home, I asked my mom to look into it. A month later, I was signed up for two weeks at sleepaway! I felt this rush of emotions, excitement, nervousness, and happiness. After the long car drive, we had arrived.

I was so nervous, but the moment I stepped into my cabin, all the nerves washed away like a passing wave. Everybody greeted me with a big smile. We had time to settle in and then change into our swimsuits for the swim test! I thought I had become a white swimmer-the lowest rank, but little did I know I was yellow!

After the first day, we came into a more normal schedule—I tried so many new things, like cheerleading, water tag, and horseback riding! Speaking of horseback riding, I went twice, and it was magical!! The horse I rode was named George, and I really liked him. He would always let me pet him, and in return, I would shoo the flies away from him!

At camp, I met so many new friends, learned so much, and discovered new interests! I even won the camp art contest, so I collaborated with somebody else to paint a MURAL! On top of that, I got to write multiple articles for the camp newspaper, the "Tom-Tom"! Chinqueka is a home away from home and I hope to go for four weeks next year. ”

It’s wonderful to hear how quickly you chose to try a couple weeks at this new summer camp, Imogen! That’s great that you found a camp you enjoyed so much with so many fun things to do and friendly folks! Nice work on embracing new experiences. Say ‘Hello’ to George for me when you return in the next summer season. To anybody else interested in Camp Chinqueka, you can check it out by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John