I attended 6 different sleepaway camps since I was 5 (!!) and loved every one but one. I learned so much that I would not have learned otherwise living as a typical 50s-60s suburban kid -- such as survival camping (5-day mountain-climbing trips, boating, swimming, hare and hounds). The final 4 years before I left for college I spent at a ballet camp and that is the only camp that now has an alumni group. Our camp property was slated to be demolished but was saved by a historical society and turned into a Gilded Age museum that honors us former campers once a year. Only one of my camps still survives but it costs $6500 to attend for a summer; it was $400 when I last attended. Only really rich kids whose towns don't have summer activities programs attend these days, I think.

posted by kageeh at 6:56 am (EST) on Sep 19, 2006

It's interesting to see that you (and I) are only 1 of 3 people who own and have read [Sleepaway] by [[Laurie Kahn]]. 13 summers (104 weeks!) of sleepaway camps were the most formative and pleasant times of my childhood and I still yearn for summer camps. I could never get my daughters interested beyond a trial week each but my son had the same great times I did. Several months ago, I discovered pictures of my mother when she went to sleepaway camp in the 1920s. Is Strawderman a camp? I am not acquainted with anyone now who shares my experiences so looking through Kahn's book is the closest I can get to reliving.

posted by kageeh at 8:52 am (EST) on Sep 15, 2006

Well, you're nice! :)

posted by kcasada at 1:38 pm (EST) on Aug 3, 2006

Replying to your comment from forever ago-- I've been bad this summer and taken a break from the cataloguing.

posted by tattycat at 2:03 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2006

I know that feeling. Am slowly getting rid of a few over time. My core collection is going to stay mine, however the books that I would have given back to the library if I'd borrowed them go on bookcrossing.

posted by wyvernfriend at 12:45 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2006

Hi there, are you another bookcrosser?

posted by wyvernfriend at 1:24 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2006

Hi there!

posted by queenmomcat at 2:38 pm (EST) on May 8, 2006