I just spent the most marvelous, cold (at least it was on Sat) , eventful, exhausting but fun weekend in the Dells.. and it had nothing to do with a waterpark.

For as much as we identify the Dells with all the action on the strip.. it doesn't take too long of a drive on a country road out of town to find any number of great summer camps.  Camp Wawbeek, Camp Gray and Upham Woods are just to name a few.  And there are so many more throughout our beautiful state and country. 

It is the quintessential summer experience for kids, isn't it?  Summer camp. 

And, because it was a topic of conversation among the parents, where did you go, or did you even have the chance to go to camp as a kid?  How has that impacted the experience your kids may or may not have?  Or, having been through this recently with your own kids, where would you recommend others check into?

Upham Woods is where we were for a great weekend with the Girl Scouts. 

And while I had never been there, it seems to be a camp many who grew up in the Madison area are familiar with.  Mainly used as a 4H camp, it also is host to Girl Scout Troops, school groups and many more.  It's beautiful.  It's a 3 minute drive outside of town (and from the nearest Starbucks which most of the chaperones seemed grateful for) but feels miles from civilization.

The staff did a great job - and the girls were fired up.  It was perfect all around from the initial flag raising and pledge of allegiance which seems rare to hear anymore, to the hike at dusk, the adventerous rowing trek across the river to Blackhawk Island, the hike, the dining hall experience, the campfire, songs and skits, to a sleepless night with about 10 7-8 year old girls and their moms.  (To bed at ten and up by 5:30, total fun for the girls and more sleep than I usually get, but it was hysterical to say the least, how some didn't quite fully appreciate all the giggling before dawn.)  The camp though, the length of stay, the facilities and the company were all wonderful.  And, the camraderie we all felt upon leaving yesterday was something to remember.  I felt so very fortunate to be along.  It had been a long time since I myself have been to camp, and my daughter's first camp experience.

Thanks Girl Scouts, Lisa T and the Upham Woods staff.  

Can't wait to go to camp again..  girls we all had a blast, hope you did too!  Mom's, great job on the obstacle course.  And thanks for the coffee runs.  (Does that really count then, as camp?)