Bug Spray, Belly Laughs, and Bedtime Stories

When asked to describe his first week at YMCA Camp Icaghowan, to his parents' surprise, the first thing Augustus said was, “the food!” For a kid who can be particular at mealtime, mom and dad breathed a sigh of relief.

His parents pushed for more details, and he got a dreamy look as he recalled his week at camp. 

As Augustus began to unpack the details, he said the first night, everything felt strange — the rustle of sleeping bags, the sound of crickets instead of city cars, and a dark cabin filled with bunk beds. But when his counselor started a quiet flashlight story about a friendly forest bear who couldn’t sleep, Augustus decided maybe camp was going to be cool. 

A highlight that surfaced right away: he rode a horse for the first time. “It was WAY bigger than I realized when I signed up for that activity,” he noted. “I was a little nervous, but it was actually not scary once I got on it.”  

And from there, the memories and special moments kept coming. He learned to make friendship bracelets, toasted a perfect marshmallow over the campfire, and built a fort in the woods where his cabinmates decided only brave explorers could enter.

At the campfire, they sang songs, told jokes, and cheered so loud the echo bounced off the trees.
When his parents picked him up, he excitedly said, “I want to go back for the whole summer next year!”

Through the eyes of today’s campers

Like a game of “Spot the Differences,” these photos that outline one camper’s recent Camp Icaghowan experience may spark many “I remember when...” thoughts, which is truly the gift of this special place tucked in the woods. In many ways, the spaces feel timeless: the experiences look so similar, but each generation adds a unique spark to their time at camp.

Enjoy taking this journey with Augustus, age 8, as he shares his first week of camp.