16-time camper Chris on his Camp Whitman experience

What was your first week of camp like?

Chris is now a second-year counselor

Well, the first week I came, it was the summer before my 4th grade year in school. . My mom and dad both came with me to see me off because I'd never been away from home for this long before. I met my counselors and felt instantly welcome. Everyone on staff and all of the campers were so friendly and open, I knew I would love it there. Though I don't remember many of the specifics of that week, being that it was eleven years ago, I do remember it was more fun than I'd ever had before and, much to my surprise, I didn't feel homesick in the slightest. I actually didn't want to leave and say goodbye when my parents came to pick me up at the end of the week. That week at camp decided for me what I would spend every summer doing for many years to come.

As a counselor, what are your favorite activities for 4th and 5th grade campers?

I really liked having two swim times, including the lessons. I also remember this really fun game of tag we played during morning watch involving making something out of play-dough and giving it to someone else to hold while we played (the idea that we tend to take more care of someone else's thing better than our own). Now, I generally like any sort of tag game and I still find the swim times to be amusing.

What's your favorite part of camp in general?

Pretty much all of the water stuff, specifically kayaking and other boating activities.