Fernwood Cove
Fernwood Cove is an all girls overnight summer camp located in Harrison, Maine. Proudly traditional yet designed for today’s girl. We offer an outstanding camp, in two separate 3 1/2 week sessions.
Our girls develop long lasting friendships and a lifetime appreciation of the outdoors while also gaining 21st Century Skills in Creativity and Innovation • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving • Communication and Collaboration. These skills are not taught in schools and will benefit each girl through their adult career/paths.
The two summer sessions, each accommodating approximately 200 campers, provide high-quality, skill-based instruction in a variety of traditional outdoor activities – including popular waterfront programs and visual arts programs and outdoor adventure programs, as well as much much more — along with plenty of fun from start to finish.
Camp Reviews — Memories from Real Camp Families
Read these stories from our camp community:
| Emma said... |
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| I remember my first year at camp. I was so scared that I wouldn’t make any friends. I have never slept more than two days away from my parents, but the second day at camp it was like I had been Fernwood Cove forever. The girls and the counselors are all so welcoming. They care about each individual camper and make a great summer experience. The activities are amazing and the camp layout is so organized and friendly for all ages. Though this is the only Sleepaway camp I’ve been to, it is the most amazing one. The food is terrific and the special events are unforgettable. Best camp on Earth! |
| Gracie said... |
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| When I came to camp four years ago, I never imagined that it would make such a big impact on my life. Every year I count down the days until I go back. My favorite camp memory is my first day of camp, turning onto Island Pond Road excited to get there. Once I got to my bunk(whimbrel) all the girls were so friendly. They all bring you into your bunk family whether your a returning camper and you have a bunch of friends or if your a new camper who doesn't know anyone. Everybody instantly welcomes you with open arms into your bunk family. I treasure every moment at the cove, from the first day to the best(last) day. Each year I go to camp knowing I am going to be changed and impacted by all the moments at Fernwood Cove. |
| Ally said... |
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| Fernwood Cove is so much more than just a camp. It is a home, a safe-haven for everyone who enters, and most importantly it is a break from the worries and concerns of the ordinary world. This coming summer will by my 7th summer at the Cove, and I can't begin to express how much this place means to me. Not only are the directors kind and welcoming, but the counselors are as well. But, the best part is the campers. They are really what make camp so special. They are all so unique and kind and their constant energy is what gives camp its extra spark. And, although the facilities are immaculate and the programs are high quality, it is the feeling that you get at FC that makes it truly extraordinary. There is so much love and enthusiasm at Fernwood Cove. Whether its singing at morning announcements, performing at Performance Night, or screaming your lungs out at campfire, 350 Island Pond Rd is an extraordinary place for all who have the opportunity to travel down its dirt road, and I wouldn't trade any of my experiences there for the world!!! |
| Adam said... |
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| Jolie has been going to Fernwood Cove for 2 years now, and it is truly as extraordinary we hoped it would be. Once we visited the camp we could tell how special it was and how great all the directors and counselors were. I can't say enough about Fernwood Cove, amazing experience for our daughter. |
| Hazel said... |
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| I adore camp! gonna be a flam this year and can't wait. My favorite memory is stargazing and kayaking in 7th grade. Can't wait to get back there!
<3 |
| Caton said... |
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| CAMP IS THE BEST! I'm going to be a flam this year and all i think about is the cove, my 5 minutes to get from kayaking to gymnastics, and the insane ep's. Cant wait for summer!
xoxo! |
| Caton said... |
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| CAMP IS THE BEST! I'm going to be a flam this year and all i think about is the cove, my 5 minutes to get from kayaking to gymnastics, and the insane ep's. Cant wait for summer!
xoxo! |
| Caton said... |
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| CAMP IS THE BEST! I'm going to be a flam this year and all i think about is the cove, my 5 minutes to get from kayaking to gymnastics, and the insane ep's. Cant wait for summer!
xoxo! |
| Julia said... |
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| All my memories of camp are so wonderful it took me so long to pick just one that I would send to you guys. I think this one is my favorite. Even though it was my first summer, I was not homesick at all until the night after visiting day. That night I cried after my parents left. Everybody in my bunk was so good to me. They all comforted me and after that I felt much better because I knew that they really cared! |
| Meredith said... |
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| After camp ended, when I arrived home, I noticed how "nice" and "well-behaved" I was, compared to everyone else in my hometown. When I went to the town pool and saw some of my friends sitting together. I went over and we hugged, teared up, and re-connected. Then, they all started gossiping about the people we saw in the pool or walking around. They were making fun of some of them and saying very rude remarks, and I felt a bit awkward because at FC, everyone gets along with everyone, so it felt weird. Then I thought about how FC is such a un-judgemental, and excepting place it is. I felt thankful that I wasn't like them, and that I got the experience that definitely purified and changed me for the better <3. |
| Meredith said... |
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| My favorite memory of camp is sitting around the campfire and singing witchcraft. It's kind of like in movies when the moment is stuck in slow-motion and you are in normal speed. I feel such a strong bond through everyone's inter-locking hands, and the raw sense of community that is intangible, but you just feel it in the moment.
In that slow motion period, you feel SO lucky that you have all of these friends and 2nd parents that love you for you so much, you get that warm, fuzzy feeling in your stomach that makes you feel like YOU belong here.
I can't wait to go back and see the new Chick.........and sing "There was a great big moose, who liked to drink a lot of juice!"
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| Ava said... |
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| I have so many memories of Fernwood Cove. But I think the best one is something that happens every year. It is the feeling I get when I step off the bus into the extraordinary world. You just know that it is going to be a great summer and that you will have so much fun. Its great when you see your friends that you haven't seen in a whole year, and you can feel the magic around you. Even though you might not be in the same bunk or classes with your friends from the year before, you still know that you'll make so many new friends and have another great summer at the cove. I always look forward to this feeling, and I miss FC everyday. |
| Christin said... |
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| The ONLY way to experience summer camp as a child, is to head straight to Maine! There, you fall in love with the crisp evening air and sun drenched pine needles, all surrounding deep blue lakes. Jog through the forest to stay fit for the tennis team, feel the freedom that only gliding across the lake in a sail fish can enlist within, or just try deciding which beautiful scene to paint. Camp is a place to explore, relax, enjoy and grow. As a former Maine camper, on Lake Sebago, I am beyond excited for my daughter to discover the beauties of camp this June at Fernwood Cove! |
| Grace said... |
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| My favorite camp memory is the feeling I get when I step off the bus and into the lucious Maine air, and realize I am home. I get a fresh start every time I come to the cove. It is a break from everything that goes in back home and all I have to worry about is just how I can be a better person and help those around. Realizing that I am home is my favorite camp memory. |
| Amanda said... |
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| Take a step into the extraordinary world and the instant you do, your mesmerized. Rock climbing, water skiing, horse back riding and much more. There is so much to do, in just 3 & half weeks. It flies by so fast. Especially when your having the greatest time of your life. It's winter now, and I miss having campfire and singing camp songs. I miss sitting outside for dinner and staring up at the baby blue sky, without a single cloud. I especially miss my dearest, extraordinary friends, and counselors. Also known as my family. Your bunk is your home. You live with 2 bunk moms, an aunt, an uncle and a cousin.Fernwood Cove is the place to be. I look forward to it everyday. Putting on my uniform, and setting out to a unpredictable, extraordinary, magical day. I will always love Fernwood Cove. Until the end... |
| Jen said... |
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| My favorite camp memory is the anticipation I feel as the bus from New York pulls into camp. After 7 hours,I see the green grass and the waterfront, something that's been in my memory for the past year.I'm anxious to see my camp friends and learn which bunk i'm in. I actually look forward to unpacking and putting on my green and whites and to have our first dinner together as campers. Spaghetti and meatballs of course!! They say Disney World is the happiest place on earth but Fernwood Cove has it beat hands down! |
| Claire said... |
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| My favorite memory at camp is the feeling you get when you pull into camp. You know you are finally home again and ready to start an extraordinary summer. Once you pull in you run as fast as you can across camp to jump on your friends or counselors. It is a feeling that makes you so happy. Camp is something I look forward to all year and driving into camp is a sigh of relief that I have made it. While pulling into camp I think of all the unforgettable memories I have made and the unforgettable memories I am about to make. Camp means so much to me, and that feeling is like the icing on top of the cake. |
| Isabel said... |
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| Every year I am so excited to be back at the cove. where everything is magical and amazing. When summer finally comes and I am in the car going along the turn of the road and I see the first sailboat in the dock, and the first water front bunk, and I fully realize how much I've missed camp through the long year. Soon I see my friends again, and we run towards each other and hug each other, because that's how much we've missed everyone. We all run and tackle each other and laugh and scream and says how much we've missed each other because we are all so glad we're back together again. That is how amazing camp is. |
| Sophie said... |
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| Every year I take the bus from New York to drive up to Maine with a lot of my other friends from the city. I always enjoy being on the bus because it is a great feeling to get there and be able to catch up and chat with all the other girls. After the long bus ride we finally pulled into the gates of Fernwood Cove. When the bus came to a stop waiting there for me was four of my closest camp friends and a counselor who is basically my sister. The excitement and love built up inside me and I ran to great both of them the second I hopped off the bus. I don't think I have ever been more excited to see anyone in my life and for me that was a very magical and loving experience at the Cove. |
| Kyra said... |
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| Tucked away in Harrison, Maine lies a peaceful little family. It consists of hundreds of sisters, thirty or so aunts and uncles, and about a hundred parents. Though we may not be related by blood, it doesn't change our love and commitment towards each other. Fernwood Cove is one giant family that comes together every summer to create amazing and unique memories that everyone takes home to reminisce over until the next time we all get to meet with each other again. A memory that I myself am very fond of is one that I will never forget. It was late one night, after taps had played and the younger children had gone to bed. Our bunk moms gathered the nine of us in a small circle in the center of our bunk, whispering silently that we were going to sneak out tonight. We all started talking in hushed whispers excitedly, trying to guess where we were heading, all the while slipping on our sweatshirts and shoes. Our moms told us to be silent as our group walked past the younger bunks. Trying our best not to be caught, even though the people on duty (ODs) knew what we were up to, we winced every time one of us slipped on a loose rock or our muffled feet snapped a twig that lay hidden in the half-light our lanterns cast. We walked in twos, and my best friend and I surveyed our surroundings carefully, trying to find out what adventure we were heading towards. We walked along the dirt road, our path twisting and turning. At an intersection, we turned instead of going straight, which confused all of us. From what we could remember, we had never been this way before. Our multitude of questions was soon answered as we stepped out of the sparse forest onto a large hill. The grass was tall, coming up to our knees, tickling the tips of our fingers. The deep blue night sky was above us, each star shining brightly down at us, smiling and twinkling happily. We looked across the wide expanse, amazed at how beautiful it was. The quiet crackling of flames came from our right, and we turned to see that a large fire was built, our uncle poking at it with a long stick. He grinned, and we headed over to see to our happy surprise that the ingredients for s’mores were lying on a large rock. The rest of the night passed quickly next to the bright light of the warm, cozy fire, all of us laughing and eating our fill of the delicious snack. Looking back on that memory now, I realize how close we have all become with one another, and I look forward to returning to my family and home for many summers to come. |
| Sophie said... |
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| Fernwood cove is more than just a camp. It is a place where memories, long time friends and magic is created. Fernwood cove is so un describable because no one can truly experience the meaning of the cove without going there. The message that the cove sends to all of its campers, including myself, will forever be in our hearts. They have taught us to learn to love each other not for appearances and to always remember to be thankful. My life without the cove would never be the same. |
| Dana said... |
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| There are so many great memories from Fernwood Cove that it's hard to count. I could tell you all about the time in my first year where our whole bunk went down to the tennis courts and watched the stars for an hour, or the Carnivals we have had with themes ranging from Superheroes to the Beatles, but I think the strongest in my mind happened this past summer. Bunks every year are allowed to "sneak out" one night without being "caught" by those watching over the small cabins. We pulled off an easy one, racing down the dirt road to the waterfront where we boarded the waterskiing boat. Even now I don't remember what it was exactly, but it rode smoothly over the tiny ripples on the pond and made no noises above a hum. We all went to the center of the silent lake and watched over the camp. I felt like a guardian angel that night, sent out to protect the Cove from any troubles that may follow them from home to the Extraordinary World. We all got back in our beds at around eleven after talking in quiet whispers, playing camp games, and sometimes breaking off just to gaze across the still water. It was the most magical experience I have ever had in the 12 years I have lived, and at Fernwood Cove, I sincerely doubt it will be the last. |
| Katie said... |
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| My favorite memory from camp is when my friend and I were sitting on the green hill. We had just finished lighting sparklers and she and I were playing in the sprinklers. Soaking wet my eyes flashed up to her ecstatic grin and I knew I would be coming back to the extraordinary world of FC forever. Then she and I stayed out having fun in the sprinklers for what felt like forever. Our counselors finally waved us over. They dried us off and told us to sleep soundly. We didn't sleep. We went back out and laughed endlessly! |
| Julia said... |
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| My favorite camp memory was on the last night. We all arranged our bunk beds into a circle, with the heads all pointing in. Chelsea (our bunk aunt) sat in the middle of the circle and continued on with the tales of Sara, Lizzie, and Ross. This story which had begun on the 3rd night of camp, was continued throughout the entire session. As we all intently listened we fell asleep one by one. The only one to stay awake was Rowan. When we all woke up in the morning next to each other, we were sad to say goodbye, but we all agreed that it had been the best camp summer yet. |
| Libby said... |
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| My absolute favorite memory from Fernwood Cove is when me and my bunk were going on a 'sneak out' and had no idea where we were going. Our bunk counsellors told us to get dressed in camoflauge colors and go down to the lake. When we got there we saw two counsellors and hot chocolate with a boat ready for travel. We were so excited!! We all hopped onto the boat and went on a trip around the whole lake. During the trip we talked about our favorite experiences at camp, while drinking the hot chocolate. That is my favorite memory! |
| Dylan said... |
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| My favorite memory from camp is the last night of camp every year. We get to stay up later that usual, sleep in our drawers, and just have a good time. It is our final night to be together, so there is a sad aspect to it, but also it is my favorite night because we want to make the most out of it. Every summer, my bunk plays truth or dare. The dares are so funny and the truths are amazing. When it is our turn to sing a song we wrote for our bunk family to the staff, we put our whole heart into it. The last night may be a little sad, it is by far my favorite. |
| Sophie said... |
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My favorite memory at camp was when I was hugging my friends and crying because camp was almost over, and wish boards with candles in the center were floating out towards the lake. Wishboards are pieces if wood with a candle in the center, and you write wishes on it. I listened as my counselors told us that the wish boards have never been found after they had gone out onto the lake. And I remember, in that moment, as I watched the candlelit wishes float out onto the moonlit lake, that it was simply magic. That this camp was more than just a camp. It's something much deeper, something magical. And it's that inexplicable feeling that brings me back to camp each year. The feeling of knowing that you have friends halfway across the world that are there for you no matter what. The feeling of knowing that if you roll down the hill and are covered with grass, people will jump right up and do it again with you. The feeling that your family of 300 girls is one of the closest families you could ever imagine. This is the unexplainable magic of my home away from home. |
| Isabel said... |
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Fernwood Cove- “No Other Words To Describe It”
It’s all a dream, one big, magical dream. After spending 3 and a half weeks in my dream-I wake up and go back to reality. But for those 3 weeks in the summer, it’s all worth it. I would do anything to go to Fernwood Cove. It’s not just the friends that make it magical, it’s the campfires, the bracelets, and the memories that make it what it is. Every single person will tell you a different story about Fernwood Cove because there’s so many different ones you can make. Between singing in the rain and painting green on your face, there’s no way that you can’t smile. I bet if you counted every time someone laughed or smiled at camp for those 3 short weeks, it’d be more than 1,000,000. After waking up from reveille, and yawning “5 more minutes!”, you don’t realize you will only get to say this 25 times. That’s what makes Fernwood Cove so special. It’s the fact that you feel like you’ve lived a whole lifetime in just 3 short weeks. You don’t realize how short your time is while you’re dancing or singing or playing games. You don’t realize it while you are skiing on the lake, or singing the pizza song, or even climbing the wall. You take it all for granted because you feel like it’s a regular routine. You feel like everyone at camp knows your name and you think that every counselor knows where you live. Actually, this is true. Because we’re all such a big family, you learn all about your sisters. You learn their favorite activity, their grandma’s phone number, and even their pet’s middle name. The best part about camp though, is that everyone has a friend. Actually, everyone has at least 10 friends. At camp, there’s no gossip, there’s no rumors, and there’s no hatred. You feel like there’s a magic force field around the camp that keeps out evil. I don’t know how it works, but one of these days I’m going to figure it out. At camp, you can forget about everything. No math, no worries, no struggles. You can just let it all go. You can show who you really are because you make real friends. In the real world, things are different. But at camp, it’s what the world should really be like. I could never choose a favorite camp memory, because there’s way too many. It’s like choosing between Sylvie or Gabi-you couldn’t do it. Every camp memory has a special meaning to it that no one else would understand. To me, camp isn’t about one individual memory, but instead it’s about all the memories put together.
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| Lily said... |
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| One of my greatest camp memories was on the 4th of July! Me and a couple of my friends each had one sparkler left, we lit the sparklers off each other and sat down on the big hill together. We talked about how much we loved this magical place and how much fun we were having until our sparklers ran out. It was then that i realized, this wasn't just my summer home, it was my home. I realized that this wasn't just a place i went to spend my summer it was a part of me, and these girls who sat beside me, they weren't just my "camp friends" they were my sisters. They still are and will always be. The little moments at camp that we spend laughing and smiling together are the ones we should really cherish, because they are what make your life truly special. |
| Eliza said... |
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| Fernwood Cove is my 2nd home I love it!
Lets see where do I start? There are so many memories to think of! One I will always remember is when me and my friend Virginia were walking to the bathroom in the shower house because the toilet was clogged in our bunk. It was nighttime so we couldnt see much exept for the small light from Virginia's flashlight. So we were walking....
But then I felt something wet and slimy in my shoe I started freaking out and screaming not knowing the younger kids were sleeping. I took my shoe off looked in it and there was a dead frog BLAH! Thats right a FROG!
At the time I was so creeped out but now when I think of it I laugh and laugh and laugh.
So a councelor came and hosed it out
That will never get old. I can't wait to go back next year and have all my troubles melt away and just focus on friends and no school. |
| Emily said... |
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| Fernwood Cove is definitely one of the best things that happened to me. The memories I have experienced I will hold onto forever. One memory I will cherish forever is when our bunk surprised one of our bunk mom's with a scavenger hunt on her birthday. Our bunk had been planning the event for days! From the endless dance parties, performing nights, campfires, and banquet, the memories that I have made at Fernwood Cove always put a smile to my face when I think about FC. The memories I have had at the extraordinary world will stick with me forever; I cant wait to drive threw those stone pillars again this summer!!! |
| Julia said... |
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| doing fun games with my bunk and hanging out with my friends :) |
| Julie said... |
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| I will live forever with the expressions of pure joy that my daughter exuded on our first visiting day at Fernwood Cove. From the moment that she burst from the chick, huge, unfettered smile across her face, slightly browned from her many days outdoors in the Maine sunshine. It was the first of countless moments that day, followed by her confident leap into Island Pond to demonstrate her new water skiing skills, to her unabashed glee at making it to the top of the high-five, to the joy that she felt to show us the front tuck she had mastered. But more than all that, there was for me, no greater pleasure in life than to see my daughter nuzzling with a horse: happy, relaxed, confident, peaceful. Away from the busyness of her city life, life in Maine and at FC so clearly offered her access to her pure, simple, joyful self.
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| Ally said... |
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| Well, first off, let me start by saying FC is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. The moment you step into the camp boundries you feel this surreal need for happiness that is instantly given. As soon as you shed a tear there is always someone there standing waiting to give you a shoulder to cry on. Camp is extremely difficult to describe in one memory. If I had to pick one meomory I possibly couldn't. But a few of the best moments have been waking up on a lazy Sunday and a 1000 wat smile is planted on your face. Then waiting in the crazy rush to get a cinnamon poptart. I love camp so much! It feels so good to be there and to make friends that you know will last a life time. It is such an amazing experience that everyone should have. |
| Hazel said... |
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| My favorite memory of Fernwood cove is sitting at the water pump my first year and chatting with my friend.... and not noticing that it already dinner time! Time just flies at the cove I guess. |
| Samantha said... |
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| My favorite memory is when in my fifth year at camp for a evening program, we went to the chicken coop and went chicken chasing. At first the chickens were really fast but once they got tired they were much easier to get. At the end of the night i caught four, and hypnotized one. I love camp because of the little random things like chicken chasing that just pop up out of nowhere in the daily schedule. It could be something like pizza night or a carnival on sunday, there just really fun and though there something little, they could be the highlight of your day. Thinking about that you can probably picture that the overall camp experience is amazing (which it is). Every year i get camp sick and can't wait for the summertime where i can return back to my second home. |
| Julia said... |
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| There are way too many good, funny, and happy memories to fill this little box, but I'll give it a shot. As a camper, some of my best memories are of bunk bed "sleepovers." I don't know who thought that two teenage girls sharing a tiny bunk bed would be a comfortable experience, but they were wrong. That being said, as much as they were uncomfortable, they were fun and I always fell asleep with a smile on my face. Camp is the place where I became the crazy (in a good way), loud, confident person that I am today. Camp is the place where you get to be completely you, and learn how to be you at home despite the pressures of the outside "ordinary" world. Camp gives you friends that are from all over the country and all over the world, but somehow manage to understand you better than the friends you have at home. Camp took brought me out of my shell and made me energetic, enthusiastic, and positive. After all, it's hard to be shy when your camp nickname is (affectionately) Dew-Dew. |
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