夏令营让我的孩子有了改变

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今年我怀着既紧张又激动的心情为儿子Conner报名了全美最优秀的夏令营。Conner的好友曾经有参加夏令营的经历，而且回来后不停地极力赞扬。随后经过诸多调查和讨论，我们决定让Conner也去夏令营体验一个夏天。当送儿子到达营地后看他高兴地跳下车，头也没回就兴奋的直奔营地时，这颗“妈妈心”还是有些颤动，但我们坚信这个决定是正确的。上周夏令营结束，我们接他回家时我才百分之百的确定我们做了最正确的决定。这个面带欢乐笑容跳上后座的孩子与之前有些…不同。

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当时我很难详细的说出有那点不同，但光从他谈论在营地结交的新朋友以及当他说起他们之间的小笑话而兴奋不已时我能看得出他眼中发自内心的激动和兴奋。回到家后我们注意到他最大的一点改变就是他变得更加懂事了。不用我问孩子就会自己主动铺床、饭后将自己的饭碗放到水池、主动提出帮忙提杂物甚至在路过厨房时会主动询问我们是否需要些什么。我们发现从营地回来后的他变得更加体贴细心。这并不是从前的他不懂事，而是我看到他愿意帮助别人以及多为别人着想的意愿变得比以前更加强烈。随着日子一天天过去，我非常开心的看到他很享受地与新朋友发邮件、聊天、视频等。夏令营之前的他还有些内向，现在的他变得爱说话并且更加自信。我喜欢看到他与同龄的伙伴们互动、我也喜欢看他认真倾听别人说话并且自信的参与他人交谈。

就在今天，他告诉我他要参加学校足球队的面试，足球是一项夏令营之前他从没接触过的体育运动。他说在营地时他受到鼓励参与足球运动并且每天都与小伙伴们一起踢足球。作为母亲，看到儿子通过夏令营有了积极正面的改变而震惊。我预想得到他会结交一些新朋友、尝试一些新活动、学会独立，但我从没想过通过短短几周的时间能够提升他的社交能力、促进他的性格发展和关系增长以及增强他的自信心。

任何还在迟疑是否让孩子参加夏令营的家长都不用在怀疑，这真的是让孩子得到锻炼的好机会。在这短短的几周里你不仅可以享受一下放松时光，更重要的是你会被孩子通过夏令营所学到的东西和他自身的改变所震惊。

全美最优秀的夏令营让我的孩子变得更好，我们也期待着下次的夏令营能够看到他更大更强的改变！

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Friendship at America’s Finest Summer Camps

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Written by Ornella Vecchio

Screen Shot 2015-05-21 at 11.07.22 AMWhen my dad told me about Camp for the first time, it took me a while to understand what he was really talking about. In the ‘70s Italy was a far away place. Colour television was the big technological advance of that year and a weekly direct flight to New York was the latest in terms of traveling in style. Father said I would soon be going to Camp. To learn English, to learn the American way of life. To prepare myself to go to a US university, one day. He also told me that his best friend Si and his wife Shirley – Jeff Moss’s dad and mom!! – would take care of me and help me to get used to Camp. “How lucky is father” I thought “to have a best friend he trusts so much that he sends his daughter all over the ocean to stay with him and his family!” Well, my dad did not go to Camp but he already knew that Camp is the place where you make friends that last a lifetime.

And that was very true. Now that over 40 years have gone by since I first went to Camp. Over there, in that far away place, I made friends that have been close to my heart ever since, even if communication was not what is it today. But thank God we now have Viper and Skype!So, I eventually turned 13 – at that time in Italy your 12th birthday was a sort of rite of passage that took you from childhood to teen age – and the time came to start making preparations for Camp.When the letter from Camp arrived in January, with a list of clothes and things to prepare, mother and I had to ask my English teacher to help us with those funny terms we could not find on our Oxford English Lerner’s Dictionary. I can still remember the big brainstorming mother had with both grandmothers about “shorts”. In the years when Mary Quant’s mini-skirt was still being banned, I was supposed to wear something the Americans called shorts and that were shorter than half my thigh! To my grandma Ester this was totally unacceptable. Let alone that shorts were impossible to find. So, a tailor was summoned and entrusted with the delicate task of making “shorts” that were not “so” short. The result was obviously completely ridiculous and made me look like one of Queen Victoria’s children in her bathing suit. And on top of that, when I finally arrived at Camp, I realized that the fastest and best way to make a pair of shorts, was to cut out the legs from a pair stone washed jeans.

Yeah, of course. But the point was: were could you buy Levi’s jeans in Valenza, Piedmont, in 1974?

Il campus ha cambiato il mio bimbo

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Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.42.06 PMEro emozionata e nervosa per il fatto di dover mandare mio figlio Connor quest’anno in uno dei migliori campus estivi americani. Il migliore amico di Connor era andato nel campus l’estate scorsa e ne parlava con entusiasmo. Quindi, dopo tante ricerche e discussioni, abbiamo deciso di consentire a Connor di trascorrere l’estate lontano da casa. Non voglio mentire, il mio “cuore da mamma” si è spezzato quando praticamente è sceso dalla macchina senza guardare indietro, ma ero abbastanza convinta che stessimo facendo la scelta giusta. La scorsa settimana, quando siamo andati a prenderlo, ero al 100% sicura di aver preso la decisione giusta. Il ragazzo felice e sorridente che è salito sul sedile posteriore della nostra macchina era… diverso.

Non ho potuto individuare molte differenze sin da subito, a parte la frenesia che aveva negli occhi e la voce che aveva quando ha parlato di tutti i suoi amici ed è scoppiato a ridere ricordandosi gli scherzi e le conversazioni divertenti con i suoi nuovi compagni. Una delle cose importanti che ho notato quando siamo arrivati a casa è stato il fatto che era diventato d’aiuto. Senza che io glielo chiedessi, ha rifatto il suo letto, ha messo il suo piatto nel lavandino, si è offerto di portarmi i sacchetti della spesa e ci ha chiesto se poteva portarci qualcosa dalla cucina visto che stava andando in quella direzione. Ho notato un nuovo senso di premura quando è tornato. Non che fosse senza cuore prima, ma ho sicuramente notato un cambiamento nella sua volontà di aiutare gli altri e di pensare agli altri prima di pensare a se stesso. Col passare dei giorni, il mio cuore è esploso dalla gioia nel vedere l’entusiasmo con il quale inviava email, chattava e usava FaceTime per parlare con i suoi nuovi amici. È andato al campus un po’ riservato, ed è tornato socievole e fiducioso. Mi è piaciuto vederlo interagire con i suoi coetanei, mi è piaciuto vedere come stava veramente ascoltando ciò che gli altri avevano da dire, e come si sentiva fiducioso di contribuire alla conversazione.

11403218_10152921109351960_6993264803082064644_nProprio oggi mi ha detto che stava andando a fare il provino per il calcio a scuola, uno sport che non aveva mai praticato prima di andare nel campus. Ha detto che era stato incoraggiato a provarlo nel campus e lo aveva praticato tutti i giorni mentre era lì. In qualità di madre, sono rimasta a bocca aperta quando ho visto i cambiamenti positivi di mio figlio dopo averlo mandato al campus. Sapevo che avrebbe fatto nuove amicizie, provato una o due nuove attività e imparato a vivere indipendentemente e in gruppo, ma non avevo idea delle competenze sociali, dello sviluppo caratteriale, della crescita relazionale e dell’aumento della fiducia che il fatto di spendere solo due settimane lontano da casa avrebbe portato.

Qualsiasi genitore che sta solo pensando di mandare il suo figlio in un campus, dovrebbe smettere di pensare ora e di iscriverlo. Non solo vi goderete un paio di settimane di relax in assenza di vostro figlio, ma quando egli torna a casa, sarete piacevolmente sorpresi da tutto quello che ha imparato, e soprattutto, da ciò che è diventato.

I migliori campus estivi americani hanno cambiato mio figlio per il meglio, ed entrambi non vediamo l’ora di vedere la crescita e i cambiamenti che accadranno la prossima estate nel campus!

El campamento cambió a mi hijo

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Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.42.06 PMMe sentía nerviosa y emocionada de enviar a mi hijo Connor a America´s Finest Summer Camps este año. Su mejor amigo había asistido a un campamento de verano antes y no podía parar de hablar sobre él. Así que después de mucha investigación y discusiones, hemos decidido permitir a Connor pasar el verano afuera. No miento, mi “corazón de mamá” se quebró un poco cuando él prácticamente saltó del coche y no se dio vuelta a mirarnos, pero me sentía segura de haber tomado la decisión correcta. La semana pasada, cuando lo recogí, estaba 100% segura de que lo habíamos hecho. El niño feliz y sonriente que saltaba en el asiento trasero era… diferente.

No podía precisar esas diferencias, salvo el entusiasmo en sus ojos y su voz cuando hablaba de sus nuevos amigos y se emocionaba recordando bromas y conversaciones divertidas con sus nuevos compañeros. Una de las principales cosas que noté cuando llegamos a casa fue que estaba muy servicial. Sin necesidad de ordenarlo, hacía su cama, llevaba sus platos al fregadero, se ofrecía a comprar los alimentos o incluso simplemente preguntaba si podría llevarnos algo de la cocina ya que iba para allí. Cuando regresó, noté un nuevo sentido de consideración. No es que antes fuera insensible pero definitivamente noté un cambio en su voluntad de ayudar a otros y pensar en los demás antes que en sí mismo. A medida que pasaban los días, mi corazón estaba lleno de alegría al verlo emocionado enviando correos electrónicos, chateando y hablando por Facetime a todos sus nuevos amigos. Fue a un campamento siendo un poco tímido y volvió sociable y con confianza. Me encantaba verlo interactuar con sus compañeros, su atención real a lo que otros tenían que decir y su convencimiento de contribuir a la conversación.

11403218_10152921109351960_6993264803082064644_nHoy mismo, me dijo que iba a intentar pruebas de futbol en la escuela, un deporte que nunca había jugado antes del campamento. Dijo que se sintió animado para hacerlo en el campamento y que jugaba casi todos los días cuando estaba allí. Como mamá, estoy fascinada por los cambios positivos resultantes de haber enviado a mi hijo al campamento. Sabía que haría amigos, probaría una o dos actividades nuevas y aprendería a vivir tanto de forma independiente y en grupo, pero no tenía idea de que podría desarrollar habilidades sociales, fortalecer su carácter, crecer en los vínculos y aumentar su confianza sólo en unas pocas semanas.

Cualquier padre que incluso esté pensando en enviar a sus hijos al campamento debería dejar de pensar e inscribirlos. No sólo disfrutarás unas semanas de relajación libre de niños sino que cuando tu hijo vuelva a casa, estarás gratamente sorprendido por todo lo que han aprendido y más importante, en quiénes se han convertido.

America´s Finest Summer Camps cambió a mi hijo para mejor, ¡y ambos esperamos más crecimiento y los cambios que van a ocurrir el próximo verano en el campamento!

La colonie de vacances a changé mon enfant

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Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.42.06 PMJ’étais à la fois stressée et excitée d’envoyer mon fils Connor cet été dans une des meilleures colonies de vacances des Etats-Unis. Le meilleur ami de Connor était allé en colonie de vacances l’été d’avant et n’arrêtait pas d’en chanter les louanges. Alors après de nombreuses recherches et discussions, nous avons décidé de laisser Connor passer l’été loin de nous. Je ne mentirai pas, mon “cœur de maman” s’est un peu brisé quand il est descendu de la voiture en sautant et est parti sans se retourner quand je l’ai déposé, mais j’étais plutôt confiante et sûre que nous avions pris la bonne décision. La semaine dernière, quand nous sommes allés le chercher, j’étais alors 100% certaine que nous avions pris la bonne décision. L’enfant souriant et heureux qui a sauté à l’arrière de notre voiture était…différent.

Je ne pouvais pas pointer précisément chaque différence, sauf la voix et les yeux excités qu’il avait quand il parlait de tous ses nouveaux amis et quand il éclatait de rire en se rappelant des blagues qu’ils s’étaient faites entre amis ou des conversations qu’ils avaient eu.

11403218_10152921109351960_6993264803082064644_nCe que j’ai le plus remarqué en rentrant à la maison c’est à quel point il était devenu serviable. Sans que je n’ai besoin de le demander, il faisait son lit, mettait les assiettes dans l’évier, proposait de ranger les courses ou demandait même simplement si l’on souhaitait qu’il nous apporte quelque chose de la cuisine puisqu’il y allait. J’ai remarqué chez lui une nouvelle gentillesse. Ce n’est pas qu’il était sans cœur avant, mais j’ai vraiment remarqué un changement dans sa volonté d’aider les autres et de penser aux autres avant de penser à lui. Puis les jours ont passé et mon cœur a explosé de joie en le voyant si excité d’envoyer un mail, de chatter ou de passer du temps sur Facetime avec tous ses nouveaux amis. Il est parti en colonie un peu réservé et est revenu confiant et très sociable.

J’adore le voir échanger avec des autres, écouter sincèrement ce qu’ils ont à dire et le voir participer avec confiance à la conversation.

Justement aujourd’hui il m’a dit vouloir passer les tests pour essayer de rentrer dans l’équipe de football de son école, alors qu’il ne jouait jamais à ce sport avant d’aller en colonie. Il m’a dit qu’on l’avait encouragé à essayer d’y jouer pendant la colonie et qu’il y avait ensuite joué quasiment tous les jours.

En tant que maman, je suis stupéfaite des changements positifs que cet envoi en colonie de vacances a entrainé sur mon fils. Je savais qu’il se ferait des amis, qu’il essaierait une activité ou deux et qu’il apprendrait à vivre à la fois seul et en groupe mais je n’avais aucune idée des compétences sociales, de développement de son caractère et de son relationnel et du gain de confiance en soi que ces quelques semaines passées loin de nous lui apporteraient.

Tout parent qui réfléchit au fait d’envoyer ou non son enfant en colonie de vacances devrait immédiatement arrêter d’y réfléchir et l’inscrire. Non seulement vous y gagnerez quelques semaines de vacances sans enfant, mais quand votre enfant reviendra vous serez agréablement surpris de tout ce qu’ils ont appris et, encore plus important, de ce qu’ils sont devenus.

Les meilleures colonies de vacances des Etats-Unis ont changé mon fils en mieux, et nous sommes tous les deux impatients de voir quels développements et changements elles lui apporteront l’été prochain !

How to make cool shadow animals with your flashlight!

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As night falls over America’s Finest Summer Camps, the loud and crazy activities of the day give way to the whispered and wonderful activities of the evening.

Bedtime stories, chilled-out card games, and friendly chatter fill the hour between returning inside and falling asleep.

As a camp counselor, you will always need plenty of fun, surprising activities to keep the fun flowing. Learning a few shadow-animals is a sure-fire way to spark campers’ creativity and interest. The best part is, all you need is a flashlight and a wall! (Check and check!)

Level 1: Bear & Alligator

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The simplest shadow animals use your thumbs for ears mouths, and can be easily modified to match dozens of recognizable animal faces! Try curling in your fingers to make a snub-nosed pug out of the alligator, or move the bear’s ear over its nose to make a triceratops dinosaur!

Level 2: Dog and Eagle

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Woof woof! Wrap your right hand around the left to add two ears and a defined head-shape to your friendly Fido!

Then try using your hands for a flapping bird — one of the oldest tricks in the book. You can spread and curve your fingers to make a creepy spider for some easy heeby-jeebies!

Level 3: Deer and Mountain Goat

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Once you’ve mastered the dog, adding curved horns and and a peep-hole for the eyes can turn it into both a deer and a mountain goat. Getting the shape just right for less recognizable critters than dogs and birds can be tricky, but it’s worth the effort once you’ve nailed it!

Level 4: Rabbit and Bear Cub

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The final step in shadow animal mastery is the jump from faces to full-bodied creatures! The trick here is using one hand for the legs and body while the other takes care of ears and mouth. Getting the angle “just so” is more important here than with easier animals. Once you’ve got it, they can crawl, wave, and give high-fives!

Bedtime is fun time!

Hand shadows can also add some interactive fun to traditional camp stories, or even make an appearance in your group’s skit or talent show performance!

Once you’ve mastered the basics, what other unexpected animals and shapes can you and your campers dream up?

Practice at home and be sure to share your creations with us, whether on Facebook or in person!

In the meantime, keep dreaming that camp dream. 😊

Lights! Camera! Action!

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Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 3.29.17 PMI could hear my heart pounding in my chest and I felt like I was going to throw up. I could hear the whispers of my fellow campers just behind the curtain, and I became absolutely certain that this was a very very bad idea. And then, like slow motion, the curtain lifted and I saw the entire audience looking at me. And the music that was all so familiar from practice started, and my feet started moving and my lips started talking and I was doing it! I was preforming in front of a huge crowd and to my surprise, I was LOVING it. It was so much fun pretending to be someone else, and I lost myself in the character I was playing. I had never been in a play before, and never thought as myself as the “in the spotlight” kind of kid, but I felt right at home on stage.

One of the reasons I felt so confident on my big night was because we had so many opportunities to practice. Every day, almost from the first day at camp, we would all get together and practice our lines, our movements and we got a lot of guidance from our counselors, some of whom had been in dozens of plays in high school and college! They were so helpful in making us feel comfortable and confident, and sometimes we forgot we were “working” because we were having so much fun.

Some of my cast mates were from preforming arts schools, and had a lot of theatre experience under their belt. We all really learned a lot from them, and were lucky to have them on our team. But no matter if we had done 10 plays or this was our first one, everyone was treated like a very valuable part of the production. I loved the feeling of being part of a team (since sports have never really been my thing) and feeling valued, wanted and appreciated. When I got nervous, I just had to look out of the corner of my eye to my friend Jake who would give me an encouraging nod or wink, and I suddenly found my confidence. When someone else got tripped up on their lines or forgot their mark, I was able to mouth the words or improvise so that the show flowed smoothly.

Since I was in the play at camp, public speaking at school has been much easier. I even tried out for the play at school, and although I didn’t get the role I auditioned for, I’m having a great time being part of the production. That is another thing that being in the camp play helped me with; understanding that you don’t always get the starring role, but that without the supporting roles, the play can’t go on! Everyone has such an important role, no matter how small, and I love that about being in theatre.

After the play, everyone clapped and cheered, and for the rest of my time at camp, people I didn’t even know came up and told me how funny I was and what a good job I did. It was so nice to get that encouragement from my fellow campers. Some even said that they’re going to try out next time!

Being in the camp play was one of the most exciting, nerve-wracking, and amazing things I’ve ever done, and I learned so much!

Benefits of Camp: Parent’s Perspective

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In a world of Wiis, Xbox ones and 360s, nothing is better than real “whee’s” on the zipline, one on ones with friends and the 360 views your kids will get when they attend summer camp.

Unplug your kids and find out how they can benefit. It’s an invaluable experience that allows them to develop the skills they need to become confident kids.

As hard as it is to send my boys off to camp each year, I know it’s the best thing for them. I’m the type of Mom who wants to be with them all summer long. I love re-living my childhood through their eyes. But summers away, teach them to believe in themselves. They gain more than just experiences, adventures and new best friends, summer camp instills positive behaviors that carry over into adulthood.

 

SELF RELIANCE

When my kids go to summer camp, they become more confident. Without my husband and I there to guide their every move, they make more decisions on their own and start to trust their own instincts. Camp is the perfect place for them to do this, in a safe environment that nurtures individual growth and development. When kids learn to make choices on their own, it gives them a sense of self worth and sets them up for success in the real world.

 

RESILIANCE

AC9U6411Camp is no different that it is at home or school. Things happen. You child didn’t get to be on the team he’d hoped, friends are acting unfairly, or your child didn’t get picked for a group project. That’s just how it is. At camp, my kids have had several issues like this but they’ve learned to accept that life isn’t always perfect. Knowing they must rely on their own problem solving skills helps them adapt and grow. I like to say, they’ve started discovering their own “know-how”. This allows them to be strong in difficult situations at camp and when they return home.

 

RESPECT

Your child isn’t going to like everyone at camp and not everyone is going to like your child. There are a lot of personalities to deal with. My sons have learned that no matter the differences they may have with others, they have to treat everyone like they want to be treated.  Learning how to be flexible and mindful of others feelings, promotes good working relationships among peers and adults. Learning tolerance and being accepting of others, are skills they’ve taken away from their stay, that go beyond just the summer.

 

LEADERSHIP

AC9U6492Summer camp is all about encouraging kids to step outside their comfort zone and face their fears. This builds character. When you pair character with confidence and helping others, kids learn to become leaders. They thrive in an environment where they’re given the opportunity to help someone else learn something new and teach what maybe they learned the year before. My kids have become noticeably more self-confident and independent and come home with the attitude of wanting to help others.

 

 

10 Times Summer Camp Made You a Better Team Player

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1. When your friend was missing home and you helped them feel better

Missing home is totally natural, and a common part of camp life. Everyone feels that way at some point — even the counselors! Summer campers quickly learn that the best medicine is a good friend to remind you of how much fun you’ve been having, and how much more fun is in store for the days to come. In fact, once you get home you’ll probably start missing camp and all your new friends!

 

2. When the flashlight went out and you faced your fear of the dark

Sleeping in cabins, tents, or even under the stars is one of the most exciting things about camp, but when you’re scared of the dark it’s also a big challenge. Fortunately, you’ve always got your camp friends around to help you face your fears. Once you’re comfortable with the dark, you get to see the stars, hear the hoot of owls, and enjoy all the excitement that comes with a night out in nature.

 

3. When they packed something healthy for lunch, but you were so hungry you ate it anyway

Picky eating isn’t a great option when you’ve been out working up a sweat in the sun all morning, and summer campers quickly learn that any food is good food — especially when you’re worn out and hungry! Adventurous eating is one of many ways that campers learn to embrace new challenges.

 

4. When your team came in second at ultimate frisbee and you showed them that good sportsmanship is more important than winning

Team sports are fun for everyone, but there are always a few players who get a little upset if their team doesn’t come out on top each round. Luckily you were ready to be a good sport and have fun no matter what, because summer camp means playing games all day long — and if somebody gets upset every time their team comes in second, they wind up spending half the day being upset over nothing.

 

5. When your friend dropped their marshmallow and you gave them yours

Do you know that sinking feeling when your marshmallow is practically perfect and suddenly gets just soft enough to droop and fall off your stick? That’s the worst! As a summer camper you’re always ready to step in and save the day, even if it means sacrificing a tasty treat for the sake of cheering up a friend. Now that’s teamwork.

 

6. When everyone wanted to play Freeze Tag and you joined in even though you’d rather play Soccer

Playing well with others means you don’t always get your way, and summer camp taught you how to have fun even if it’s not time for your favorite activity. After all, you may be a pro climber, but chances are you’ll miss out on a lot of fun if you spend the whole day climbing over and over again. For summer campers, variety is truly the spice of life.

 

7. When you climbed to the top of the climbing wall even though you were secretly terrified

Whether you’re rappelling, climbing, or just putting on those water skis, camp activities are bound to push you out of your comfort zone. Are you ready to face your fears? The adrenaline rush of zooming down the zip-line may feel great, but you know what feels better? Knowing that you were brave enough to jump off the platform all by yourself.

 

8. When your team was lagging behind and you volunteered to be the fearless leader

Part of being a good team player is knowing when it’s your turn to step up to the plate and provide leadership for your group. Remember when the group was scattered and no one knew what to do, and you suggested a strategy that brought your team back into the game? Leadership can be that simple, even for the shyest of campers.

 

9. When your friend had to visit the nurse and you went with them to keep up their spirits

Nobody wants to be a fair-weather friend. Sometimes a bruised knee or wood splinter sends your friend to the nurse, and the question is: do you keep playing the game, or go with them so they don’t feel alone? Summer campers are always the friends that stick by you even when the going gets rough.

10. When you went home appreciating your family more than ever

Family is the most important team of all. Camp was amazing and you’ll never forget your new friends and all the fun experiences you’ve had this summer, but boy did you miss your family. Leaving camp is bittersweet, but spending time away from the familiar life of home and school sure reminds you how special it is. Who ever guessed you could miss going to school?

7 Camp Songs That Always Rock the House

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Camp songs may seem a little crazy outside of camp, but if you’ve been to camp before you know these zany off-the-wall melodies are absolute classics. Repeat after me songs are great for kids, and plenty of fun for grown-ups as well! Trust me — no one can sing Hey Burrito without breaking into a smile. The fun is contagious!

We’ve collected a few classics here to help you re-live the camp memories. You can practically smell the campfire!

 

1. Boom-Shika-Boom

When it comes to rocking the house, Boom-Shika-Boom is the guaranteed to succeed: it’s kind of like the We Will Rock You of camp songs, complete with stomping, bellowing, and unstoppable rhythm.

This being a camp song, there’s plenty of fantastical elements thrown in, and every counselor is bound to have their own version by the end of summer. We’ve seen janitor style, mashmallow style and even disney princess style. One more time, y’all!

 

 2. Go Bananas!

Get ready to strut your moonwalk, your chicken walk, and any other suspicious dance moves that may be hiding up your sleeves! Go bananas is the perfect songs for letting out your inner dancing queen, and a favorite for campers young and old.

 

3. The Marshmallow Song

Part of the fun with “repeat after me songs” is seeing how far you can stretch the audience’s memory; before the whole thing dissolves into chaos! These campers seem to have a strong handle on it. Are you up to the challenge?

 

4. The Buffalo

Goofy, with a midwest flair. The buffalo has a dry humor to it that makes it a favorite among middle-school campers. I mean, come on — what’s a camp song without a little good-natured irony?

 

5. Funky Chicken

Ah, Funky Chicken. The song with a million verses that just goes on and on and on.Truth be told, if you’re quick with your imagination, there’s virtually no reason for this one ever to end!

 

6. Heeeeey Burrito!

Feeling hungry? Looking for a good song to share before a camp meal? Nothing gets the point across quite like Hey Burrito. Just be sure use lots of guacamole… and of course, the cinnamon twist!

7. Little Red Wagon

Little Red Wagon is guaranteed to please, especially with younger campers looking for a chance to let out some crazy energy before bedtime! This song starts quiet and gets louder, and louder, AND LOUDER!

 

 

 

Here’s hoping you’ve enjoyed this stroll down memory lane. Brush up on your singing voice and be sure you know all the verses to Funky Chicken when you come back to camp next summer!