Counselor Connections 
I enjoyed all the counselor’s vibes and energy they brought for the week”
- Kenzie

Campers often talk about how much they love their counselors. Kenzie noticed the energy and enthusiasm they brought each day, which made the week even more fun. For some campers, this is their first time away from home, so counselors become a safe space and supportive buddy for the week. Many of Happy Hollow’s counselors are college students who return year after year, forming strong connections with campers and guiding them through new experiences. 

Campers also feel safe knowing they can talk to their counselors and share their feelings whenever they need to. These bonds help campers feel supported, confident, and ready to make the most of every camp adventure. 

Swimming Adventures
“Swimming is the best part of the day, especially since it gets hot outside!”
- Aimee 

Swimming at Happy Hollow is a highlight of the week, especially on hot summer days. Aimee loves the chance to cool off and splash around with friends. Campers of all skill levels enjoy the water safely, whether it’s in Zone 1 for beginners, Zone 2 for those ready to swim longer laps, or Zone 3 for the strongest swimmers who tread water for two minutes. 

The swim tests are full of encouragement and laughter, with friends cheering each other on. For many, the water becomes a place to gain confidence, have fun, and share moments that make summer unforgettable. 

Camp Meals 
“I felt proud of myself when I tried a new food.” 

Meal times at Happy Hollow are full of energy and excitement. Campers eagerly head to the dining hall to see what Diana has prepared. Favorites like spaghetti and breadsticks, hamburgers, chicken tenders, waffles, tacos, and French toast often bring the biggest smiles. Between bites, campers share laughter, swap stories, and bond over the day’s adventures, creating a sense of community and joy around every meal.  

Supporting camp means supporting these everyday experiences that matter so much. A gift of $100 helps provide three meals a day for one camper for an entire week, making sure no child goes without the nourishment they need to fully enjoy camp. 

Nature Discovery 
I love Happy Hollow because It’s like stepping into another world...”
- Myka 

The moment Myka stepped onto the trails at Happy Hollow, they felt like they had entered another world. “I love Happy Hollow because it’s like stepping into another world, tall trees, quiet trails, and that perfect campfire smell in the air. Every morning you wake up to the birds singing and the sunlight streaming through the trees. There’s this calm, peaceful vibe here that makes you want to slow down and take it all in. Best part? Everyone is chill and friendly—it’s like we’re all part of one big camp family.” 

The quiet of the forest, the warmth of the sun, and the company of friends made every moment feel special. For kids who don’t often get a chance to be outdoors, camp is a place to explore, connect, and discover the beauty of nature firsthand. Myka embraced it all, letting each trail, each tree, and each peaceful moment become part of their story. 

Camp Songs 
“I like the camp songs we sing, like Burrito.”
- Monalisa 

Camp songs are a highlight of the week, filling the air as campers walk to lunch, head to activities, or gather for a quick moment with their cabin. Monalisa especially loves singing “Hey Burrito.” She laughs as she follows the motions, claps, stomps, and echoes the words with her friends:

Hey Burrito:
Hey, burrito!
I said hey, hey, hey burrito!
Mm yeah, burrito, yeah!
Taco Bell, Taco Bell!
Guacamole, cinnamon twist!

(Three rounds, say one phrase before each round)
1. Mild sauce (softly)
2. Fire sauce (getting louder)
3. Diablo Sauce!!!! (shouting)

Songs like Alive Awake Alert, Fudgie the Whale, and Little Red Wagon bring energy and excitement to each part of the day. They help campers feel connected to each other, build confidence, and add a playful rhythm to life at camp.

By the end of the week, the songs are not just tunes. They become cherished memories of laughter, teamwork, and the joyful spirit that makes camp special.

Get Creative  
“The tie-dying was the best part of my week at camp.”
- Gabrielle

Arts and crafts are a highlight for many campers, giving them a chance to get creative and make something uniquely their own. Each week, campers gather to tie-dye shirts, experimenting with colors and patterns while sharing laughs and stories with their cabinmates. 

Gabrielle loved watching the colors swirl and blend, feeling proud as she created a design that was completely her own. The tie-dye session wasn’t just about making a shirt—it was about expressing creativity, working together, and enjoying a fun, hands-on experience with friends. 

At camp, these moments of creativity often become some of the most memorable parts of the week. 

Hiking Views 
“My favorite thing about camp was the Creekside Hike.”  

Happy Hollow is full of winding trails that lead campers through forests, across open fields, and toward new adventures every day. With more than fifteen different paths to explore, campers stay active as they walk to activities, discover hidden corners of camp, and learn more about nature along the way. 

Some trails are quiet and shaded, perfect for spotting wildlife or listening to the sounds of the woods. Others are filled with excitement and chatter as cabins travel together from place to place. And then there is the legendary Big Hill. Campers love to complain about it, but somehow the climb always turns into laughter, teamwork, and triumphant cheers once they reach the top. 

Each trail offers something different, but they all give campers the same thing: a chance to explore, connect, and make memories every step of the way.  

Cabin Friendships  
“My favorite part of camp wasn’t the games or the hikes, it was the friends I made in my cabin.”
- Linkoln

Cabin friendships start forming almost the moment campers arrive. As soon as backpacks hit the bunks, counselors lead each group through a camp tour and a round of icebreakers. Name games, favorite-thing introductions, and quick get-to-know-you activities help turn a room full of strangers into something that already feels familiar. 

On the very first night, each cabin gathers to create a cabin flag and choose a name. Some groups come up with themes, others invent inside jokes on the spot, but the process always brings out laughter and teamwork. It is often the moment when campers start to feel like they belong. 

Throughout the week, cabins bond through games like Superstar, “Getting to Know You” Musical Chairs, Name Line, and Gimme 5. With each activity, campers learn more about one another, cheer each other on, and build the kind of connections that make camp feel like home. 

By the time the week is in full swing, many campers say the same thing: the best part of camp isn’t just the activities. It is the friends they share them with. 

New Adventures
“I felt so proud of myself when I rode a horse!”
-Jaz

For many campers, trying something completely new is one of the most exciting parts of coming to Happy Hollow. Jaz remembers the exact moment she climbed onto a horse for the very first time. She felt nervous but also excited, unsure if she could do it. With encouragement from her counselors and cabinmates, she took a deep breath, held on tight, and rode the horse around the pasture and trails. 

That small moment filled her with pride. By the end of the week, Jaz couldn’t stop talking about her ride and how accomplished she felt. 

At camp, trying something new becomes an adventure shared with friends, and those first-time experiences often turn into the stories campers remember most. 

Camper to CIT
“I enjoyed helping little kids and being looked up to. Hopefully, one day they will be CITs too!” - Grace 

The CIT Program gives teens the chance to stay connected to camp while stepping into new leadership roles. They assist counselors, guide younger campers, and begin to see camp from a whole new perspective. What makes it especially meaningful is that the growth is visible not only to adults, but to the teens themselves. 

Many CITs talk about how rewarding it feels to be looked up to by younger campers and how they hope those kids will one day step into the same role. It is a reminder that even campers notice the positive changes happening within them and want to pass that experience on to others. 

The CIT Program helps teens grow into leaders while inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps. 

A Campfire Tradition
“The campfires are always a fun part of camp!”
-Luciana

On the first night of camp, everyone gathers for Opening Campfire. The flames glow, counselors act out silly skits, and campers learn the songs they’ll be singing all week long. It’s the moment when nerves fade and camp starts to feel like home. 

By Thursday night, the Closing Campfire brings the week full circle. Each cabin steps up to perform a skit they’ve practiced together, proudly showing off inside jokes and teamwork built over the past few days. We sing our favorite camp songs and end with “Make New Friends,” a tradition borrowed from Girl Scouts that campers love. Afterward, buddy cabins pair up to roast s’mores and enjoy one last cozy night around the fire.