A reluctant camper is won over — by cold water?

72 DAYS UNTIL HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR GRAND OPENING!

When Max first went to YMCA Camp in 2001, it was not his choice, but his father's. With visions of every bad camp-themed horror movie in his mind, Max did not have high hopes for a fun week at camp. Oddly enough, it was during the swim test and his first taste of the chilly water that Max turned around. Here's what he had to say about the experience:

Jumping in the freezing cold lake really helped me start to appreciate camp and its surroundings. 

My first activity was swimming — Greased Watermelon, in particular. It never occurred to me that sprint-swimming through water with fruit covered in petroleum jelly could be so much fun. This was just one of the many new activities that thrilled me.

The games, however, did not compare to the relationships I made with the numerous first-time campers and counselors. So many of these meet-and-greets over tomato soup turned into lifelong relationships. All of these friendships will stick with me until the day I die.