Camp Memories Blog Hop

I spent years and years going to summer camps.  As a parent now, I understand why my parents would sign us up for all these weeks...sanity time for them!! 

I started going to summer camp when I was 7 years old.  I remember being a little nervous, but more excited then anything. 

Now, as an adult, I have many fond memories and relationships from the years that I spent in cabins, and dorms.  Some memories are amazing, others I just want to forget.

The best memory that I have is when we were staying in some cabins, a few of us girls decided to play some pranks on the boys...cause that is what summer camp is all about, right?  Pranks?

We saran wrapped the toilet seats, we unscrewed the shower heads and put lifesavers inside them (so it would be sticky when the water came out), we rubbed soap all over the boys bridge (which in hindsight was EXTREMELY dangerous;-) and I could probably go on with more...

While we were in the bathroom, that night, we had no idea that someone had sneaked up outside.  We were giggling and running out of the bathroom, back to our beds, when ALL OF A SUDDEN...someone jumped out of the garbage can!!!

We screamed!  I can remember it like it was yesterday;-)  The camp director decided to prank us...I know I nearly had a heart attack, at the age of 12 (or so).

The relationships that were made at these camps were so important at the time, and I didn't know then, that I would still be friends with many of these people today. More then 20 years later (man, I'm getting old!).


This was one of mine and Keri's styles;-)
The Bandana and side ponytail...
I don't know what we were thinking...lol

One very important relationship I gained was at a performing arts camp.  This girl quickly became one of my best friends.  We would get our parents to drive the hour or so each way, just so we could see each other.  We would send mail - actual letters, with stamps on them - to each other.  Many times we would make cassette tapes (yes, I said cassette) for the other one with us talking to them, or taping our favourite songs from the radio.

We ended up doing something really dumb together, and it landed us in a LOT of hot water.  But when you are a teen, you don't think before you act.  This situation pretty much separated us and I never forgot her.  I had heard a few years later that she had died in a car accident.  I was devastated.

It is a sad story, I am aware of that, but I wanted to show the impact of a camp friendship on my life.  My daughter is named after her.  Keri is 13 years old now and knows who she is named after.  We still talk about my friend Keri and how much that friendship meant to me.  I would have never met her if we had not gone to the same camp.

Now, my kids are getting to the age where they are able to go, and we have sent the oldest 3 to various camps.  I think the experience is so important for kids.  They get to take some time away from their lives and learn more about others, about other parts of our province, or even country, and they get to build potentially lasting relationships. 

I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of so many different camps as a kid, they really helped to shape me into who I am today.

I'm participating in the Our Kids Camp Expo Blog Hop. Yesterday's Camp Memory can be found at Toronto Teacher Mom  Tomorrow, the fun is happening at Help We've Got Kids

Join the conversation!

Twitter: hasthtag #campmemories.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ourkidsnet

Looking for a March Break or Summer Camp for your child?

Don’t miss Canada's Largest Camp Expo!

February 26, 2012, 12:00 to 4:00pm, Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

• Find top March Break, Summer and Holiday Camps for kids and teens

• Attend free information seminars to help you choose and prepare for camp

• Learn about charities, discounts, bursaries and tax credits for camp.

Register for FREE admission and the chance to WIN $500 towards exhibiting camps: www.ourkids.net/campexpo

Watch for the two upcoming twitter parties:

February 5th and February 22nd at 9 pm est

PS: On a side note, I smiled and laughed out loud while typing up this blog:-D