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~ A blog by Nancy S. Kyme~ the best stories are told around a campfire…

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Tag Archives: American Camp Association

Why Summer Camp is Important…

05 Monday May 2014

Posted by campfirememories in Camp, Friendships, Inspirational, Memoir, Michigan, Spiritual Growth

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American Camp Association, Sleepover summer camp

It is time to enroll your kids, or grand kids, in summer camp!  Give them a summer free from electronics and immerse them in nature. Do you know someone whose kids could benefit?  Share this link;  http://find.acacamps.org/

I wrote Memory Lake for camp lovers, and for those who had never attended camp, so they would understand why so many of us grow wistful and blurry-eyed at the mere mention of the word ‘camp’.  I wanted to immerse readers in the camp experience, so they would feel as if they had attended, and so they would understand why they should send their kids to camp.  I also wanted to give back to the camp culture, to ensure it remains alive in the United States, because I believe it is important for our kids to experience nature.  (Link to Memory Lake in e-book: Click Here)

The Majesty of Nature...

The Majesty of Nature…

Why is it important for our kids to form a connection to nature?  Because nature connects us to our humanity.   As humans, we are spiritual beings, whether we acknowledge it or not.   The essence of what makes us human, our self-awareness, and our ability to choose, these are spiritual gifts.  Some people float along without purpose, never fully knowing what they are capable of through these gifts.   Being in nature allows our spiritual identity to emerge.  It doesn’t take much to be in awe, in nature, a sunset, a thunderstorm.  And when we are still, and in awe, we discover our inner self, we have that epiphany, that revelation, and from that, we derive a purpose.

Sleep-over summer camp is a very effective alternative environment that jump-starts maturity levels and helps kids to find, and be, their true selves by helping them find their inner strengths.  It also helps them find friends who will celebrate their strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses.

A Past President of Harvard, Charles Eliot, said over a hundred years ago, “The organized summer camp is the most important step in education that America has given the world.”

A contemplative view...

A contemplative view…

Spring LOC: David Ellis

Discovery and adventure allow growth…

I used to attend camp on Lake Michigan, near Sleeping Bear Dunes, for seven weeks at a time over five summers in the Nineteen-Seventies, as a teenager.  Memory Lake is that trans formative journey and it shows how sleepover summer camp, and nature, can change even the most troublesome teenager into a confident, grateful, and inspired adult.  This is not the National Lampoon version of summer camp, where boys and girls just want to sneak out, or mean girls play mean pranks , or everyone just wants to win some crazy competition.  This is summer camp as it was intended to be; education over the summer that immerses kids in nature and gives them real challenges with a system in place to develop integrity and courage, and a spiritual connection. 

All high school kids are ready for sleepover camp.  If children younger than high school are home-bodies, try day camp.  If they always want to hang out at a friend’s house, send them to sleepover camp as young as twelve.  You will never regret it and your kids will thank you, thank you, thank you.  Search for a camp near you;  http://find.acacamps.org/ 

I’m already saving up so KT, (my daughter) can send Lilly (my granddaughter) some day!

KT, camp alumni, and Lilly, future camper!

KT, camp alumni, and Lilly, future camper!

 

 

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The Last Day of School, Opening Day of Camp, and Pawn Tickets. Huh?

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by campfirememories in Camp, Friendships, Inspirational, Memoir, Michigan, mothers and daughters, Spiritual Growth, Summer

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American Camp Association, Camps, Government, Labor Day, Midwest, Northern Michigan, Opening Day, Parenting Magazine, Pawn Stars, Recreation, Rules, Safety, Sheridan Mountain Campus, summer vacation, United States, Virginia

Summer vacation comes late to Virginia public schools.  Today is their last day; Tuesday, June 18th.  KT always missed these final days of school so I could get her to Northern Michigan for camp’s Opening Day, which occurred for Midwest camps over the weekend.  It was tough motivating her toward perfect attendance all year, knowing this conflict loomed. I always felt guilty about her missing school, although the only real lesson imparted these last few days is that government is inflexible.  Yes, I know we need rules.  They keep us safe, calm and civil.  But kids should have different rules shortly after Memorial Day.

Prince William County Virginia Crossing Guard. Thank-you Marietta!

Prince William County Virginia Crossing Guard. Thank-you Marietta!

When we moved here from Nebraska twenty years ago, I noticed an increased government presence.  The crossing guards impressed me most of all.  They are police department employees through the Crossing Guard Bureau.  They wear spiffy white caps, official badges, WHITE gloves, and they will not hesitate to put their lives in peril to stop traffic.  Some of the streets are quite busy.  All the commuters are angry and impatient.  Most notably, Virginia is HOT in June, especially when standing in the sun on asphalt. I assumed the guards vacationed over the summer until I chatted with Marietta yesterday.  She enters pawn tickets into the police department data base between assignments.  Hmmm… they never mention this on Pawn Stars.  Perhaps it would deter customers if they knew.  More government. More rules. More protection.  I forgot to ask Marietta if the gloves come off for this.

It’s not too late to rescue your kids from a summer of home rules, city dangers, and government protections.  You can still send them to camp, especially if you live in Virginia*.  Go to the American Camp Association website, search for the best fit, and have the fortitude to send them.  Pawn them away from your television and their game consoles.  Send them into nature.  They will be safe.  And, they will return to you much improved.

(You can read about camp, and journey there in your imagination by reading Memory Lake: The Forever Friendships of Summer.)

* Sheridan Mountain Campus’ summer registration is still open!

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