Curious about the impact that summer camp can make on your kids’ life? Our sister site just announced the winners of the Virginia Summer Camp essay contest, and the winning essays reflect on exactly that.
Virginia Summer Camp asked writers to submit their true, personal camp stories. We had so much fun reading through the many memories and reflections that they shared. It really drove home an important truth: the experiences we work so hard to give our kids can shape them in wonderful ways for the rest of their lives.
Read the Virginia Summer Camp Essay Contest Winners
Congratulations to Erin Erickson of Charlottesville, VA, who won in the adult category, and to Adam Paul of Ashburn, VA, who won in the youth category.
Adult Division Winner: Erin Erickson, Charlottesville, VA
I didn’t always feel lucky to be a camp kid.
Growing up, I went to Triple C Day Camp every summer, and at the time, I had mixed feelings about it. A lot of my friends traveled with their families or stayed home all summer, and I remember feeling jealous of that freedom. Camp felt scheduled and routine, while everyone else seemed to be doing something more exciting. It wasn’t until much later that I realized how much those summers gave me.
Youth Division Winner: Adam Paul, Ashburn, Virginia
For a little less than half of my life I have been attending Serve Camp, a Christian-based summer camp focused on teaching youth to make positive impacts on their community while understanding the message of Jesus Christ. Serve Camp has molded me into the person I am today, teaching me copious life lessons and what it means to serve. However, the moment at Serve Camp that shaped me the most happened in a hot parking lot next to the local Roy Rogers, holding a dripping sponge, trying to convince drivers to stop for the famous car wash.
Learn More About Virginia Summer Camps
We’re committed to helping you give exactly these kinds of wonderful memories and experiences to your children. If you’re looking for just the right fit for your family, there are many summer camp options available locally or within a short drive. As you search, don’t hesitate to reach out to the camps that interest you. They’ll be able to answer your questions or even put you in touch with camp alumni who can share their experiences.
Maybe one day, your kid will also be winning essay contests by sharing their summer camp adventures!
CharlottesvilleFamily is here to help you prepare for a summer of fun! Get ready with our camp countdown. Get tips on how to find the right camp for an anxious child. If you’re looking for just the right summer camp experience, browse our guides to sleepaway camps, sports camps, arts camps, and camps for teens.
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CHARLOTTESVILLEFAMILY EDITORS are locals who care deeply about family and community. We are almost all parents who serve alongside our readers. We’re in the PTO and band boosters, coach sports teams, help with the school fun fair, and more. Our insider perspective, combined with great research and expert input from our wonderful CharlottesvilleFamily Advisory Panel, helps us to provide you with trustworthy advice as you raise the next generation of brilliant and compassionate kids.