Remember how much fun you had at summer camp? I bet you do. Very likely, many of your best memories (and lifelong friends) were made at summer camp, along with a slew of friendship bracelets, pine cone creatures, and stuff made out of popsicle sticks.
Camp is the perfect place for kids to be kids – the idyllic companion to the long, golden summers of youth, right before adulthood sneaks in and steals them away in the name of responsibility and gainful employment.
Nothing less than the BEST
They come from all over the Southeast – some from all over the country. For eight weeks every summer, 240 happy campers – ages 6 to 16 – eagerly arrive at the gates of Camp Cosby loaded with gear, swimsuits, proper shoes, and perhaps a few gifts to share with friends old and new.
Nestled along the shores of Logan Martin Lake, Camp Cosby has been welcoming young campers (rising 1st- through 11th-graders) for almost 100 years. The picture-perfect setting, readily available counselors, and an abundance of daily outdoor activities for campers to choose from, make Camp Cosby a favorite summer selection, year after year.
There are many “BESTS” at Camp Cosby. Each morning campers share Morning Watch in the chapel, along with meals, songs, skits, games, and relationship-building programs later in the day. But the remainder of the day, campers are FREE to CHOOSE their own adventures (closely supervised, of course). They can pick five activities per day – land or water – 25 for the week.
“Every child is different,” says Karen Kasprzak, Camp Cosby’s Program Operations Director. “We pay special attention to the campers to make sure their unique experience is everything they want it to be.”
This year’s list of land activities includes mini bikes, horseback riding, ropes courses, archery, dance, drama and ceramics. Water activities include sailing, canoeing, ziplining, swimming, fishing, waterslides and water trampolines. Many campers will experience these things for the very first time!
Packed with personality
Far away from the stressors of school, homework, and “fitting in,” sleepaway camp gives kids an opportunity to try new things in a FUN new environment. Breaking free from the expectations of their regular social hierarchy and the pressure of deciding “what to be when they grow up,” young campers will find skills and confidence they never knew they had. And they may even find the answer to that lingering question.
“When a camp program is well-conceived and well-executed, your child will come home with an expanded sense of self and enhanced self-esteem,” writes Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker, licensed marriage and family therapist. “For these reasons alone, it may be worth stretching the family budget to make camp a reality for your child.”
Yep, the BEST take-home of all
“Our campers learn lifelong skills and hobbies,” says Karen. “They make lifelong friendships. Over and over they tell us how camp helps them to learn who they are – and be okay with who they are. When they go home at the end of the week, they have a stronger sense of independence.”
Second helpings
This year’s camp sessions run from June 2 to July 27. There’s almost too much fun to fit into just one week – about 25 percent of campers will stick around for two. Each week has a special theme, “and the days are busy,” Karen laughs. Among this year’s themes are Super Heroes, the Olympics, Video Games Come Alive, Stars and Stripes, and one new addition: College Football Week.
Weekly sessions for 2019 are filling up fast. Click here to register and check availability: wpbox7.net/5d/c22dbfd1/camp-cosby. For additional information, please call us at 1-800-85COSBY. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
*Our goal is to make Camp Cosby available for every child who wants to attend. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. If you would like to sponsor a special child to attend camp this year, please visit us at: https://campcosby.ymcabham.org/donate and select “Camp Cosby 2019 Annual Campaign” for your contribution. Your help means so much to kids who long to experience the many joys of summer camp.