Friday Five: Summer Camp

Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals writes:

We're settling into our new new apartment, and after a lifetime at Montessori Katie is having a fantastic summer at YMCA day camp. Meanwhile, Nicholas is packing up for a week at Camp Julian, shared by the Episcopal dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego. His lists of supplies and rules--except for the ropes course available to the teenagers and the ban on IPODs and cell phones--bring back memories of my own happy times weeks at Y camp Ta Ta Pochon, funded by selling countless cases of butter toffee peanuts. So, in celebration of summer, please share your own memories and preferences about camp.

1. Did you go to sleep away camp, or day camp, as a child? Wish you could? Or sometimes wish you hadn't?
I only went to Brownie Day Camp, somewhere near Wiesbaden, Germany. It was quite enjoyable. My college roommate's tales of camp with color wars, etc. didn't really make me envious. My childhood summers were deliciously unregimented!

2. How about camping out? Dream vacation, nightmare, or somewhere in between?
Somewhere in between -- I enjoyed it when I was a bit younger. And when we had a pop-up camper it wasn't too bad. I'm getting a little achy for sleeping on the ground. Actually, as I write this, Onkel Hankie Pants and Rusty have gone camping in our woods. I assume they are having a good time as they've been gone two nights, one of which had some rain. It's a nice activity for the boys!

3. Have you ever worked as a camp counselor, or been to a camp for your denomination for either work or pleasure?
Never been a camp counselor. It would definitely not be my thing. However, I've spent many enjoyable weekends at Pilgrim Point, the Minnesota camp of the UCC, at Women's Retreats. (Do not imagine a lot of silence and prayer, though those do occur.) I hope to attend something at Pilgrim Lodge, the Maine UCC camp, sometime soon. (Yes, we are all about the Pilgrims, not so much about the Puritans.)
And, I've just returned from West Denmark Family Camp, which I'll be posting about later today or tomorrow, with pictures and video.

4. Most dramatic memory of camp, or camping out?
One Memorial Day weekend we went to a state park near Grand Rapids, MN, and OHP and I rented a rowboat and went out on the lake. All was well until we were just about at the dock and we capsized. (In fewer than three feet of water.) Unfortunately, I had my camera with me and turned on. (Old school, not digital.) Shortly afterward, as we were drying out at the campsite, the camera started hissing and smoking!! I still don't know why getting the battery wet would cause this; or if it would apply to digital cameras; but be forewarned!

5. What is your favorite camp song or songs? Bonus points if you link to a recording or video.
Here's the first camp song I remember, from the Brownie Day Camp. My leader was Swiss, married to a Norwegian-born US Navy officer. So of course she taught us this song; and we also sing it at WDFamily Camp, out of The World of Song.


The second video is from West Denmark Family Camp 2008. One of the campers had arranged some of our favorite songs for band instruments, and put together a volunteer band. It's a rather odd assortment of instruments, and also, as I was holding the camera, the mic picked up rather more of my voice than I (or you) would prefer, but here it is anyway.