Buffalo-Niagara YMCA celebrates first day of summer camp

BUFFALO, NY – Close your eyes and imagine summer camp. It probably looks a lot like the YMCA’s Camp Eggert in Orchard Park.

“Camp Eggert is one of our favorite places. It’s our outdoor day camp with your traditional rock wall, outdoor pool, arts and crafts, sports, STEM, nature, etc., we have it here,” said Brenna Luppo, the Y’s Vice President of Education and Child Care Services.

Two experienced campers, Emma Craig and Emma Manning, say they look forward to these weeks all year.

“I love spending time with my friends and having the opportunity to do something fun every summer,” Manning said.

“It’s just a nice break from school and you’re not sitting at home all day, and you can just have fun and make new friends,” Craig said.

Of course, there will inevitably be first-day jitters for new campers.

“Absolutely, but our staff is highly trained in acclimating new kids to camp and engaging them in activities,” Luppo said. “Probably after that first half hour. That nervousness goes away and those friendships start to form and the activities begin.”

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 your first day, but you’ll make lots of friends and it’ll be a really fun summer.”

“A lot of my friends are from camp and I’ve developed a really big group of friends this year,” Manning said. “Just be yourself, because at the end of the day, it’s always people who love you for who you are. So have fun and be yourself and don’t worry about what other people think,” a Manning said.

There are still spaces remaining at YMCA camps in Erie and Niagara counties for this summer.

You can find the full list and registration details on the Y’s website.