BUFFALO, N.Y. — Close your eyes and picture summer camp. It probably looks a lot like the YMCA's Camp Eggert in Orchard Park.
"Camp Eggert is one of our favorite spots. It is our outdoor day camp with your traditional rock wall, outdoor pool, arts and crafts, sports, STEM, nature, you name it, we have it here," said Brenna Luppo, the Y's VP of Education and Childcare Services.
Two experienced campers, Emma Craig and Emma Manning, say they look forward to these weeks all year.
"I love hanging out with my friends and getting an opportunity to do something fun every summer," Manning said.
"It's just a nice break from school and you're not sitting around in the house all day, and you just get to have fun and make new friends," said Craig.
Of course there are bound to be some first day jitters for the newer campers.
"Absolutely, but our staff are highly trained to getting the new kids acclimated to camp, as well as getting involved in the activities," Luppo said. "Probably after that first half hour. those jitters go away and those friendships are starting to be formed and activities are starting."
Emma and Emma also shared their advice for anyone embarking on a new adventure this summer.
"Don't be shy," Craig said. "It's okay to be nervous on the first day, but you'll make tons of friends and it will be a really fun summer."
"A lot of my friends come from camp, and I've developed a really big friend group this year," Manning said. "Just be yourself, because at end of the day, it's always the people who like you for who you are. So just have fun and be yourself and don't care what anybody thinks," Manning said.
There are still spots left at YMCA camps in Erie and Niagara Counties for this summer.
You can find the full list and registration details through the Y's website.
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