We could talk about everything camp for hours… and we just love anyone who shares our passion and obsession for the best place on earth. So, clearly we love when we get the chance to sit down with our Campbassadors to get the 411 on their camp experience and why they want to share that gift with campers of the future.
Lindsey is basically a camp celeb — of Color War general fame! Lindsey went to camp for 8 summers, and then came back as a counselor for another 4. She now lives in Long Island with her husband and four kids. She’s a family girl and a former first-grade teacher, and she attributes so much of her passion for children to the amazing skills she learned at camp! Check out what Lindsey has to say about everything from tennis, apache relay, and even her Broadway debut!
How has camp influenced what you do/your career path?
Camp definitely played a role in influencing me to choose teaching as a career. I specifically remember my first summer working at camp, and how much I loved being there to support my campers. Whether it was helping a camper overcome their homesickness or watching a camper achieve a goal (i.e. becoming a better tennis player), I felt like I played an influential role in their lives, and as a result, I wanted to continue that special feeling. As I teacher, I was able to do that with my students.
What are your top three essentials that you packed in your trunk?
Egg crate, disposable cameras, jacks
What are three words to describe your camp experience?
Friendships, Family, & FUN!!!!
Who was someone at camp that you looked up to?
Always my counselors! They were always there to make sure we were having the best summer! And I always loved my counselors that were longtime campers. They passed down all the traditions.
Why do you think it is important to go to camp?
Looking back, camp is a gift! It is a special world that no one understands unless they have gone. Camp gives you this confidence that you didn’t know you had before. You learn so many valuable life lessons at camp. You learn how to be independent, you learn to be a friend, you learn how to work as team, you learn how to share, and most importantly, you learn how to have fun and smile each and every day! There is nothing like it!!!!
What is your favorite/most epic camp memory?
There really are so many, but to name a few…ending the color war apache relay with consecutive foul shots, being a CIT color war captain and getting to sit at the generals table during color war (felt pretty cool that week), and obviously having the honor of being general for the Blue Muppet Team in 2001.
How has camp affected your adult life? Is there something you learned there that you still do today?
I still have the love for camp that I did when I was younger. Now that my little ones are in day camp, I pass on that passion for camp to them. I find myself getting very involved in special dress-up days and singing their songs, because I want them to catch on to that same feeling I have.
Words of wisdom for current and future campers?
Get involved in everything camp has to offer and have the time of your LIFE!!!
How do you keep in touch with your camp friends? What has kept you close through all of these years?
There is a bond that camp friends have that is unlike any other. We have grown up together at camp, from being little girls, to teenagers, and worked together at camp as young adults. Although we don’t get to see each other as often as we would like, our friendship remains just as strong.
What is your favorite camp tradition?
Girls Sing for sure! We always took that very seriously, and I still sing the camp lyrics to the songs when I hear them on the radio.
What was your favorite camp food?
Wednesday night BBQ’s – we were allowed to having soda.
What is your favorite camp cheer?
“Quiet please…dedicated to…”
What is your favorite movie about camp/that you saw at camp?
Indian Summer.
What did you prefer – pool or lake?
Lake!
Favorite canteen candy?
Charleston Chew.
Favorite / most requested item on visiting day?
Always candy.
What was your favorite camp activity?
I love BBK! Such a fun game!!!
If you had to have something from camp tattooed on you, what would it be?
10 months for 2.
Favorite camp memento?
I have two: definitely my sing tapes (they are considered vintage now being recorded on cassettes) & my Blue Muppets General T-Shirt. I still wear it to sleep.
Any firsts at camp?
OMG!!! Camp gave me the confidence to star in a couple of shows. I was Rizzo in Grease and co-starred with my BFF in Chicago.
So you might be thinking, what’s a Summer 365 Campbassador? Basically the coolest job ever… it’s like being a specialist counselor! Campbassadors are our version of brand ambassadors – they are our network of Summer 365 supporters and fellow camp-obsessed former campers who want to spread the summer love! Our Campbassadors help promote our free advisory service and help engage families in their local communities. And, most importantly, they are dedicated to joining in our mission of giving the gift of summer camp to children.
