Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Megan

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Youth Camper Megan:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Swimming, because they teach the strokes and let us jump on the water trampoline.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

The butterfly. I've never done it before. I didn't even know what it was!

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That I'm a good swimmer.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Ian

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Ian:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Forest Adventure because I liked the game Predator and Prey.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I played Predator and Prey. I was the last person found once.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That I like hiking.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Nicole

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Cascade camper Nicole:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Getting my first blue rag.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Walk through the forest blind-folded.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

Everybody is really nice. They don't care about how anybody else looks, because we have all become friends the past week and now we're like sisters.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Marissa

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Marissa:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

The Listen First activity because it let me get to know other CITs.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

The zipline.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That I am good at talking to kids that need help with something.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Jared

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Meridian camper Jared:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Gold Mine, because you had to hide from the biffers and it gave you good exercise.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I'm trying to be more independent.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

It can be a really long ride up here but it's worth it!

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Maddie

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Youth Camper Maddie:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Going to the waterfront because it was nice to cool down from the heat.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Rock climbing. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be, but it was still really fun.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

It is good to be responsible and to listen to others.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Austin

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Meridian LIT Austin:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Kayaking. It was relaxing.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I took the lead rather than being appointed.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

I'm very self-aware.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Nick

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Nick:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Kayaking because it was a lot of fun.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Yes, I tried the delicious stuffing the barn was serving. It was served with BBQ chicken.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That everybody does not like the walk back from the Polar Plunge. The Polar Plunge is waking up at 5:45 a.m. and jumping into the lake.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Hannah

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Youth Camper Hannah:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Climbing on the climbing tower because I made it to the top and felt really accomplished.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Polar Bear Club. I jumped into the lake at 6 a.m., which I had never done before.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

I learned that it is good to help others and be responsible.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Maddy

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Youth Camper Maddy:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Swimming, because the water is very refreshing and cold.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Jumping on the water trampoline. It was a blast and I've never done it before.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

That everyone at camp is really nice and you never know if you'll find a new best friend!

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Bailey

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Meridian camper Bailey:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

The Challenge Course because I thought it was the most important team-building activity we did for trust.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Yesterday we went kayaking with all the LITs.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

I've learned over the weeks not to ever judge a person before you REALLY get to know them.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Jaclyn

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Youth Camper Jaclyn:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

The best part was swimming.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Cleaning.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

Respect others. And, people are crazy — in a good way.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Rylie

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Rylie:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Sleeping in, Polar Bearing.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Meeting everyone.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

Everyone's nice. Everyone cares about you.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Dylan

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Dylan:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Playing Werewolf.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I tried polar diving, and it is warmer than you'd think.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

How to play Werewolf.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Lani

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise CIT Camper Lani:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Opening Campfire. It's a good way to get started and an intro into what camp really is all about. I love the tradition formed around Opening Campfire.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I did a Polar Bear Swim. I loved it — such a fun experience that was refreshing and I've never done before.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

I learned that everyone has their flaws and positive moments and we have to learn to understand and respect them for that. Be a true Y Camper.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Rayann

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from McCall camper Rayann:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Swimming and the fire thing. I liked the skits and the singing, and the water was fun.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I swam differently because I didn't want my hair wet.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

I can't sing and Meghan is a lot of fun to hang around with — and everyone else!

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Kailey

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Meridian Teen Camper Kailey:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Sleep and eat yummy food, because I love sleep and yummy food!

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Lighting the fire at Opening Campfire. I'm the longest returning camper (11 years), and as the longest returning camper I got to light the fire!

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

Not everyone enjoys singing for their food.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Cameron

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise camper Cameron:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

My favorite thing I did today at camp was play the game Candyland. I enjoyed it because you got to build teamwork within your group and because you get to win a prize at the end if you win.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

Today I tried reaching out to people. I'm usually pretty shy around people.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

One thing I learned about others is that they come to this camp from out of state. I thought that was interesting.

Dispatches from 2011 Y Camp: Megan

All season long, YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir campers and staffers are sharing their Resident Camp experiences with parents, camp alumni, prospective campers and Y Camp blog readers.

Below, we hear from Boise Ranger Camper Megan:

What was your favorite thing you did yesterday?

Archery was my favorite because it was really fun.

Did you try anything new yesterday?

I used a hammer and a saw to work on the Ranger projects. It was cool learning to do new things.

Share something you have learned about yourself or others at camp.

I learned that I can make new friends more easily than I thought.