Camp Louemma in New Jersey: Summer Fun and Adventure Awaits
When the summertime comes, there always is a buzz among teenagers and young children, especially among the parents as well on what to do for their children or themselves for the summer. Well I have spent the last ten years of my life attending summer camps of a wide variety and I can tell you about the best summer camp that I have been to and that is Camp Louemma. Camp Louemma is located in Sussex, New Jersey and is a sleep away camp. I first attended the camp as a thirteen year old child looking for a great way to spend the summer after I had bad experiences at other camps. I fist heard about Camp Louemma from an online search of summer camps in the New York- New Jersey metro area. In my search I found Camp Louemma and also read some past campers and staff members’ opinions of the camp which were all very helpful. Each review contained great comments about the camp so I decided to check the place out with my family and younger brother. The camp looked very nice, with updated facilities and when we looked at the camp in session over the summer, it looked like everyone loved being there for the summer. So I enrolled in the camp with my younger brother as well. I soon found out how nice everyone was, especially the counselors who are a mixture of British and American counselors. I got a long really well with all of the campers in my bunk where we lived.
The bunk which we stayed in for the summer felt like home, yet it also contained a sense of adventure by being in the wilderness. The living quarters had several bathrooms and there was plenty of room for all of the campers to stay in. There were also many sports facilities such as a brand new basketball court, three tennis courts, a huge soccer field, a hockey rink, and softball field. Instructors were at each area during the day to improve upon my ability in each sport. Each day consisted of campers picking the activities that they wanted to do that day. The list of activities ranged from archery to arts and crafts to sports activities. I had never done archery before and I was surprised to learn how much fun it could be with a little practice. The day consisted of four activities with a lunch break in the middle. In the mourning the entire camp would gather at the flag pole in which the army sound of revile was played and an American flag was raised. Then everyone would go down to the dining hall, every bunk sat with each other at a table. Waiters which consisted of the dining hall staff members would come out of the kitchen and serve pretty good tasting food which was the same that mean for the entire camp. Breakfast consisted of eggs, omelets, cereal, waffles, French toast, pancakes or other special items. Lunch was grilled cheese, sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, salad or soup. Finally, dinner was chicken, beef, vegetables, prime ribs, or other unique dishes.
When dinner was over, an evening activity would take place which would be different each night. Sometimes it would be a sports activity, other times it would be a play, or talent show, or a fun game. Sometimes a new activity would be announced such a Dutch auction in which campers would get items from their bunk and when a certain item was called, a camper would raise their hand and announce that they have their item with them, so that they would get points for their team or bunk.
The camp session lasts from the end of June until the middle of August. The camp session was divided into three two and a half week periods. Campers have the option of staying for as many sessions as they want. In between the summer at the midway point there is a visiting day for parents to see their children. Children also can make several phone calls home to speak with their parents during the summer.
Another great thing about the camp are the directors in charge. The camp director is a really friendly guy who runs the camp and makes it his responsibility that each camper is taken care for. Senior staff members also make sure that children are having a fun time at the camp.
For children who enjoy trips the camp makes several of them. The highlight trips of the summer include one to Mountain Creek Water Park in New Jersey, a minor league baseball game, a disco with dancing, and a roller coaster theme park.
The camp also has a lot of cultural events such as songs and dances and traditional friday night and saturday services for all backgrounds. During each session the camp also has special events in which the camp is divided up. The first session contains a competition modeled after the Olympics in which the camp is divided into six countries. The Olmpic events include track and field events and other sport event competitions. In the second session of the summer they have a Tribal War competition in which the camp is divided into four teams. The most exciting event is an appachie relay race wihch is a huge relay race with battons that includes over 100 steps. Events in the relay race range from hopping to running to hitting a voleyball over a net. Every camper and staff member is involved. Tribal War teams are also required to compete over singing songs and a comedy play. The final competition of the summer which is by far the most exciting is Color War. The camp is divided into two teams and compete in many unique events including a bucket brigade in which a relay of water buckets are thown to try and make a giant bucket hanging by a string to fall the fastest. Another event is rope burning which takes place at night. The two team have a giant rope assembles that goes horizontally. Each team must build a fire from scratch using twigs and wood and build a fire as high as possible and burn through three giant ropes hung high. The first team to make all three ropes fall wins the competition. Everyone in the camp, campers and staff members all get excited about the competition and come away with a feeling of satisfaction after all of the hard work they have put into the competition.
At the end of the summer, there is a giant banquet dinner with a five course meal and special food is served like a special turkey or chicken dish. All of the campers and staff members get dressed up and take pictures of each other. During the dinner, awards are given out in activity areas for the best and most enthusiastic campers. A talent show is put on by the staff members and hte campers prepare to leave in the next day, many of them crying in sadness of leaving thier new friends for school.
Camp Louemma is a great camp for making lasting friendships and having the best summer of your life. If you are looking for a great way for you or your child to spend the summer at a very affordable price, Camp Louemma is right for you.
