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"It’s a great opportunity for any kid."
 Maddy Auerbacher is planning on returning to Camp Speers-Eljabar again this summer –- in fact, just try and stop her because she had so much fun last year and the year before! “I’m definitely planning on going again this year because I really liked the feeling of independence and the camp counselors were awesome.”
The first year Maddy went was when she had just finished sixth grade, so she stayed in Camp Eljabar where grades 3 – 7 enjoy camp life. She went with a friend from home and remembers that there were six bunk beds in their cabin with a shared bathroom. “We did have to do some chores every day like sweeping the floor, setting the table or serving food to the others, but I enjoyed it as everyone had to pitch in and do their share,” Maddy explains.
Maddy was asked to choose three activities for the week, so she chose arts and crafts, sailing and kayaking which she did every day. In between her chosen interests, Maddy enjoyed her down time, when kids can play volleyball, go frog hunting, hiking, blueberry picking or just read and write letters. Maddy also had great fun on the large inflatable slides on the forty-two acre lake where they went swimming every day. “You certainly need to bring a lot of swimsuits and towels!” laughed Maddy.
When Maddy returned the following summer, she was old enough to stay in Camp Speers, which she enjoyed all the more because of the added feeling of freedom. “You really do get to pick whatever you want to do from a whole bunch of different things,” Maddy claims. “There’s archery, riflery, horse riding, geo-caching, and lots of other stuff and then, in the evening, there are sometimes dances, manhunts, campfires and s’mores.”
Maddy thinks that there really wasn’t any time for her to feel homesick, as she was so busy all the time. Interestingly, Maddy rather enjoyed being away from her cell phone and computer… “It made a nice change to not be texting the whole time,” Maddy admits.
Maddy’s Mom, Nancy, concludes, “I have to say, Maddy came back a different young lady somehow… more relaxed, contented and so happy to hang out with the family. I think Sleepaway Camp offers so many benefits in a safe and nurturing environment. It’s a great opportunity for any kid.”
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