Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author (1902-1983)
Note: This quote has nothing at all to do with the story below!
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Five of my grandchildren were at camp for the last two weeks, in the mountains of western Virginia. It is a beautiful place and from all reports, they seemed to love it there as much as their parents and aunt did. I got a letter from one of my two first-time camper granddaughters, who reported:
"Hello! It's my third day at camp and I am totally loving it! We made a few new friends and have met a lot of great people. We have played soccer and volleyball and the square dance is tomorrow night. The big campfire night is tonight - also soooo much fun! I miss you two, but I'll see you soon!"
It wasn't all a bed of roses, however, as she reported to her parents that there was a "mean" girl in her cabin. Her sister, the kid who sleeps til noon in summer, also reported that she loved camp - where they made them get up much earlier than that. She told her parents that she loved camp so much she "even tried spinach". This from a kid who eats no vegetables except corn.
I recall a very mean girl in my cabin the first year I went to camp. I was only six (probably too young for most kids, and it certainly was for me). I remember very little else about my camp years, although I attended from age six to thirteen, but I do remember very well the mean girl. Her name is burned into my memory (Jeanette B.) and I can only think of two other' girl's names, so you know how much of an impact Jeanette had on me. I wrote about this before - so go here to read all about it, then come back and tell me one of your camp experiences.
Oddly enough, I received an email today from a guy who went to Carbide Camps, inviting me to their reunion this coming weekend. I find it odd that there are reunions of those campers, but it seems that some of them had such great experiences that they want to relive them nearly every summer. I had some good times at camp after that first year, but nothing that would make me want to go to a reunion. I might run into Jeanette!
I recall a very mean girl in my cabin the first year I went to camp. I was only six (probably too young for most kids, and it certainly was for me). I remember very little else about my camp years, although I attended from age six to thirteen, but I do remember very well the mean girl. Her name is burned into my memory (Jeanette B.) and I can only think of two other' girl's names, so you know how much of an impact Jeanette had on me. I wrote about this before - so go here to read all about it, then come back and tell me one of your camp experiences.
Oddly enough, I received an email today from a guy who went to Carbide Camps, inviting me to their reunion this coming weekend. I find it odd that there are reunions of those campers, but it seems that some of them had such great experiences that they want to relive them nearly every summer. I had some good times at camp after that first year, but nothing that would make me want to go to a reunion. I might run into Jeanette!
11 comments:
Coed summer camp sponsored by the Methodist church at the tender age of 13 was a lot of fun. Specially when I spent the previous summer in the hospital with a broken leg. I learned archery, how to play guitar, we did a play, and experienced girls on a whole new level. Not gonna talk about that here. Lets just say that three girls were aiming for my attention and I do remember all their names to this day. Thanks for jaring the memory Kenju. Love ya darling...
Oh, you struck a nerve with this one. I was sent to camp at age 7 and hated it. It was a beautiful camp on Lake Winnepesaukee. They offered many wonderful events to sign up for but I just wanted to learn to knit which I did. I wasn't athletic so not interested in most sports. Went for four years and suffered through them all. Now that beautiful site has been turned into condos.
I hated every sleep away camp I ever attended. The Evil Twin went to the Carbide camps and says he loved it. It must have been more fun than the camps I attended! :-)
I went to Girl Scout Camp from about age 6 to age 13. I loved it. My girls went to. They learned all the same camp songs I did.
With the exception of Boy Scout camp a couple of times, my summer camp was "farm" camp on my great uncle's farm. My sibs weren't so sure about the whole thing but it certainly worked for me.
We don't really do it over here- as far as I'm aware but some of my happiest memories are of camping with my family in the Lake District.
You wouild have shocked me saying you attended camp at age 6 but a friend of mine just sent her daughter, age 7, to church camp. I had never heard of that. I did love church camp every summer from middle school to high school.
Your posts sure provoke some thoughts. I guess we all have known mean girls. My nemisis was named Janie J. and she had freckles and pigtails and prissed around all the time. I would not enjoy a reunion if she attended.
I never heard of summer camps when I was a child. We seldom went on holidays and spent our days playing in the field (rented by the parents in the fourteen houses that backed on to it). The parents kept an eye on us and any one of them would chastise if needed.
In the evenings some of the parents joined in the game of rounders while others watched.
I love finding a new blog. It is SO SAD that the mean ones grab all our memories when they don't deserve that kind of award from us.
I like the Hoffer quote-- as for Camp Reunions, they must be inspired by the devil. As horrible as class reunions can be, I can't imagine what they'd be like, but I wonder about a few girls at a church camp when I was in high school... :) Have a good day, Judy.
ARE? My son Dylan went. I remember the site fondly.
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