If there's one thing I look forward to every summer year after year it's camp. After years and years as a camper then staff member I feel like an unofficial expert on the subject. Since I don't have time to write a full book on camp, I'll just start a small glossary instead. Here are the ABC's that every camp counselor or staffer know all too well.
A: Air Conditioning
Unless your camp is new and modern this is one luxury you'll be without.
B: Bug Spray
Depending on who you are it's either the first thing you pack or the one thing you forget.
C: Campfire
Essentially the best camp activity ever.
D: Dining Hall
Practically the central hub of camp where you come for food, songs, skits and important information.
E: Energy Drinks.
The best friend of every tired camp counselor.
F: Flip Flops
Because there's no way you're stepping in that shower stall barefoot.
G: Games
Counselors basically have a book of them they know how to teach.
H: Homesick
You hope and pray every year you won't have any homesick campers but there's always at least one.
I: Ice Cream
The first thing to sell out from the camp store.
J: Jewelry Making
Friendship bracelets for days.
K: Kayaking
"Please don't let anyone tip today, please don't let anyone tip today."
L: Line Dancing
Is it really camp without line dancing?
M: Marshmallow
A tasty camp classic and sometimes a code word for homesick campers. (We call is Marshmallow Fever.)
N: Nurse
The nicest person at camp you hope to never have to go see.
O: Outside Voices
BECAUSE IT'S OKAY TO YELL AT CAMP, IT'S CAMP!
P: Patience
Something you must have to work with kids.
Q: Quiet
Something that rarely happens unless everyone is asleep.
R: Rest Time
The worst part of the day as a camper, the absolute best part of the day as a staff member.
S: Staff
Actually the coolest people at camp ever.
T: Tie Dye
A basic camp staple.
U: Upchuck
God bless your soul if you've ever had a puking camper.
V: Victory
From a winning hand of cards to getting picky campers to eat its all about little victories.
W: Walk
Usually used in the common phrase of "Walk please!"
X: X - Rated
AKA conversations and topics that are deemed not camp friendly.
Y: Youth
The whole reason we do this is for the kids.
Z: Zoo
Basically the synonym for summer camp period.
It may be crazy, but there's nothing else I'd rather know more about than camp.
