Where I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, it was commonplace for children to spend eight weeks each summer at overnight camp. From as early as the age of 6 through 16 or so, many of my contemporaries were ensconced in camps across New England, each perched on a lake.
Some may think sending children away for that long at such young ages is slightly barbaric, but to me and a lot of my friends, summer camp was a given — for better or worse. Some kids hated it, but not me. I loved it all, and learned so much about getting along in the world.
Mosquitos are big and nasty during the humid summer months. Even worse when you’re near a lake. So do like your mother says — spray on the spray.
There was an unspoken agreement that the older kids would find a younger kid to take under their wing. It made the young girls feel special and the older girls feel important.
From horseback riding to canoeing, the activities were varied and plentiful at camp. It would be have been easiervto stick with what I knew — in my case, tennis — but it’s a lot more fun and interesting to try everything, at least once.
Everyone knows it’s better to be nice, but that was especially true at camp, what with the bouts of homesickness and loneliness that some girls experienced. There was always a mean girl (there always is), but it’s better if it’s not you, or me. Just be nice to people.
Care packages and secret stashes of candy were highly valued among the campers, as the food at camp tended to be somewhat… awful. If you share your stuff, others will share with you.
It was easy to forget to take a shower at camp, what with all the swimming in the lake. But really, it’s always a good idea to take a shower now and then.
Nothing was as refreshing and sweet as walking in the rain at camp. It didn’t matter if you got wet or dirty — that’s what camp is for. I can still hear the sound of the rain on the pine trees and birch trees. It was magical.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially at camp where you can always have cereal and fruit. Then the rest of the meals, even if they’re… awful, won’t be as big of a deal. Start out well-fed and the rest of the day will go better.
Every year after parent’s visiting day I would get really, really homesick. I would cry a lot. The mean girl in my cabin would tease me, but I didn’t care. I missed my parents. It’s ok to cry if you’re sad.
At night, fireflies would light up around us as we sat watching the stars and singing camp songs. They were amazing. Stop and watch the fireflies — or the butterflies — or whatever amazes you.
Camp involved a lot of singing. After each meal, every evening, all day long, there was singing. Some could sing well, some not so much — but it didn’t matter at all. Everyone sang, and it was fun.
Us campers got to do it for eight weeks — escape from reality and live in a little world of our own. Everyone should do it now and then, even if for only a few minutes. Suspend your reality and close your eyes — the fireflies are waiting.
Have you or your kids ever gone away to summer camp? I’m sure you have stories — let us have them in the comments below!
Featured image courtesy of Leshaines123 licensed via Creative Commons.
Sharon Greenthal is a former stay-at-home mom, now empty-nester. She lives in Orange County, CA with her husband Peter and their perfect dog, Lambeau. Her two children are away at college. Sharon blogs about her observations the world around her, from the important to the inconsequential.
It just a superb topics with great content..I learned whole post or seriously learned some new lessons about the life or also how we should treat with our family member...Summer camp is really a great place,where you enjoyed or also learned various things...
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I miss the fireflies in south Texas - not flying around in Colorado! I definitely favor those "suspend reality" opportunities. You never get too old for those!
You took a topic as seemingly simple as camp, and made it lovely and nostalgic! I didn't go to camp, but did pick up a few of these while camping with the family. My strong love of nature came from all those days and nights at lakes and the seashore. Beautiful post!
In my next life, I want to go away to camp. Sounds like a terrific experience. I've had to learn similar life lessons, just not through camp.
Growing up in Wisconsin, the "Off" was something we were all very eager to have sprayed on, thank you!
Great life lessons, Sharon. As much as I miss my daughter when she's away at camp, I know she's having more fun than hanging out with no one around in our town. This will be her 6th year at the same camp. She's meeting people from all over the country: some she likes and some she doesn't ...but she has to learn to live with both in her close proximity cabin. She has more responsibility and more freedom as she gets older with the program. These experiences will make going off to college so much easier (for both of us!) She will have friendships that will last a lifetime and, yes, they do sing a lot! Thanks for a fun post~~
@susanborst so glad you enjoyed it! And yes, the camp experience helps with the college transition. My daughter went to camp also, and went across the country for college - in fact she graduated today :)
I never had the experience of summer camp. However, I listen to my mother (occasionally), I'm not a mean girl, and I can share (but not rum cake or red velvet). I have the shower thing down and spent most of my teens crying about one thing or another. I also happen to love the sound of rain and marvel at fireflies.
I love nature (most of it) and I think the concept of "glamping" (glamour camping) may work for me. Your recollection makes me want to create my own adult camp...well, glamp. Great lessons.
@EmeliaSam It sounds like you have all the important stuff down! And to be honest, I've never been camping in the real sense of the word - never pitched a tent or cooked over a fire. But I love your idea of "glamp." I'd love that!
Sharron, Your writing is wonderful. Your choice of topic is fun. And, your conclusions are right on. My own experience at summer camp was for only one week at a time and that was hard enough to deal with concerning homesickness.
Because the camp I attended was in Arizona and we have no fireflies, it wasn't until I was an adult that I was able to see them and wonder at their magic. I'm still taken away to a land of enchantment when I think of the romance engendered in their flickering about with wild abandon.
As for the mean girl. You are right. There is always one at camp, one at work, one at church, one at the convention and one in the neighborhood. It is a good thing there are so many other nice girls we can still hang out with. Right?
@Yvonne Root Right! Nice girls always find their way to each other. Mean girls end up alone. Thanks for reading!
Each summer we would send our daughter to the summer camps at the Naval Academy. Although only 9 miles away from out home, there were still alot of #9's each week. Nice post Sharon & great timing for all those families starting to say their summer good-bye's. Cheers!
@WineEveryday Thanks! Tears aren't about the distance - they're about the comfort and familiarity of home. Glad you enjoyed it.
