Bryn, aged 16, is the second camper to take part in Camper Files. She has been a camper at Camp Chinqueka (a.k.a the best place on Earth!) for six ‘unforgettable summers’. Bryn has recently returned from her final year as a camper, and will be returning to camp next summer as a CIT (Counselor in Training).
Read on to find out more including her favourite camp memory, how she deals with being away from home and her advice to people thinking of going to summer camp.
1. What is your favourite activity (elective) at camp? Why?
My favourite activity at camp was anything at the Waterfront. I loved being there because, living in New York City, I never get to swim on a pond during the year . It is so fun to swim, row, kayak and perform synchro dances with my friends! During my first summer as a camper, I wasn’t the best swimmer. Over the years, the Waterfront Counselors helped me out so much and taught me how to do cool dives and strokes that I have never even heard of before! In addition, at my camp, there is a traditional synchronised swimming dance (Candlelight) performed each year. Around a dozen seniors are chosen to swim in the dark with whilst holding candles, and it was a very special and beautiful experience to be involved in.
2. What is your favourite camp song?
My favorite camp song is Boom Chicka Boom.
3. What is your favourite meal at camp?
My favorite meal is the Chicken Parm 🙂
4. What kind of things do you pack for camp?
Other than basic necessities (yellow Crocs, some shorts, bucket hats, fake Ray Bans), I always bring rainbow silly string, bug spray, friendship string, fun costumes (funky scarves, hippie sunglasses, hawaiian shirts etc.), and my stuffed animals.
5. What is the best thing about going to a summer camp?
Being a camper at sunny Camp Chinqueka helped me learn more about myself, and who I could become. I recognise Camp Chinqueka as my home-away-from-home because it is a place and environment that I love more than anywhere else in the world! During the past six unforgettable summers, I have spent them surrounded by campers and Counselors who have turned out to be some of the greatest friends I will ever have. The reason why I came back to Camp Chinqueka every summer was because of the knit-tight community. You are constantly surrounded by people who share so many of the same values, and at the same time you learn about different lifestyles and cultures. You take on the opportunity to meet new friends who are from different places who you thought you would never cross paths with.
6. What is the worst thing about going to a summer camp?
Not knowing what to do for a senior prank!
7. What is your favourite camp memory?
My favourite camp memory is winning War Canoe!!!! War Canoe is a race between Chinqueka and Awosting’s (our brother camp) canoe teams. You spend around 10 days intensely training, and you work together as a team to make sure that you show everyone how far girl power can really take you! This past summer, our team was extremely humble, and we didn’t practice as often as we had in previous years. However when it got closer and closer to the date of the race, we realised that we had to step up our game. We practiced on land late at night, and began to make a steady and powerful pace during practices. Going into the race, we weren’t canoeing to win. We were canoeing to not loose poorly. But on race day, when we got 2/3rds of the way around the course, I noticed that we were winning and the whole team started freaking out. It was a super special moment to be in a boat with ten other girls who were all screaming at the top of their lungs in excitement. When we won, we all thought it was a dream!! We all started balling out crying because we were the team that showed that even after losing for 18 years, girl power can still outrun anything!
Bryn and the rest of the girls winning War Canoe against the Awosting boys for the first time in 18 years!
8. What were you most nervous about when you first went to camp?
I was most nervous about meeting new people! I was very shy six years ago, and sleeping in a cabin with a dozen other girls who were from all over the world was very scary to me. But after a couple of days, my Counselors brought us together and we all stayed up late one night laughing at scary stories and playing cards. Chinqueka brought me out of my shell, and helped me become the outgoing person I am today.
9. How did you deal with being away from home for so long?
I always try to keep myself busy, whether that is helping a cabin mate out with making a new friendship bracelet, or hanging out with Amanda (the Camp Director) in the lodge. There is so much to do at camp that I wouldn’t be able to do at home, I choose to act on that and make the most of it.
10. Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about going to a summer camp?
DO IT!!! Summer camp is such an amazing experience and I learned more about myself in one week of camp than a whole year of being at home. Camp opened me up to meeting Counselors and campers from all over the world, who ultimately became my best friends. I also got to try out so many new activities that I would have never been able to do if I hadn’t been at camp!
How to Survive Summer Camp... 