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can someone explain the importance of "camp"?

by:    

I stopped going to summer camp when I was like 13. Why is "camp" so important to Texas/south in general? I would think it would be looked upon better if one traveled and interned in the summer rather than do watersports and arts and crafts at sleepaway camp but to each their own I guess.

Posted By: oos
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#1by:    
#1    

If you don't understand the importance of camp, you're not going to get the the importance of UT's Greek system. You might as well stay in California.

By: well
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by: oos   

thx bb. I'm just trying to understand your culture. Where I'm from you are looked down upon if you spend your summer going to summer camp vs. traveling and interning. Upon further reflection I guess a thorough knowledge of arts and crafts would come in handy with recruitment decorating and making presents for your little.

By: oos
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by: To OOS   

Nice subtle piece of snark about the arts and crafts. And where do you live that 15- and 16-year-olds do internships? Texas Hill Country camps are indeed probably different from most camps around the country, focused on developing well-rounded abilities rather than single-interest camps like music or computers. And even though the youngest campers don't even know what networking is -- it happens as a matter of course through the years. Sorority life in Texas, Oklahoma and the South is also probably more "pack-oriented" than in other parts of the country, but it doesn't feel alien to girls who have been part of a team for years at Waldemar or Camp Longhorn. So yeah, to kind of echo "well", if summer camp seems totally alien to you, then probably so will Texas Greek life.

By: To OOS
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by: Deena   

If you don't get the importance of camp then you are a normal person. Some of the people I. Here have a very overinflated view of their own self importance. You can have a very good college experience and a bright future if you did not go to camp in Texas while you were young.

By: Deena
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by: Y'all crazy   

I think I finally got a handle on the TX culture. Y'all go to camp to be with a particular group of girls to join a sorority with the same girls so that y'all can be in junior league together after college. Brilliant life plan!

Thanks for the entertaining post party read!

By: Y'all crazy
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#2by:    
#2    

It is the importance of networking. You are with the same girls from the same exclusive families for one month a year for eight years. You are building a network that is priceless. Of course every one travels the two other months while they are not at camp. It is more important the networking that happens here between exclusive families from all over the state than anything you could possibly do as an intern.

By: you don't get it
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by: ---   

Unfortunately that networking won't help you beyond getting into a sorority. Camp girls make good housewives with their impeccable table manners, but don't do much else.

By: ---
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by: To ---   

Wow, what an amazing generalization. Sounds like someone either didn't get in or didn't fit. The current owner of Waldemar made a sculpture honoring Connie Reeves -- head of the Riding Dept. for 50+ years who survived 2 cancers in her 90s and died after falling off her spooked horse at age 100.Title of that sculpture was "Saddle Your Own Horse," and if you don't understand that title -- then you're as dim as your generalization makes you sound. What you make of your camp (and sorority) experiences is in large part determined by the personality and character that you arrived with. My camp experience taught me resilience, perseverance, teamwork plus how to play some sports that I plan to enjoy for the rest of my life.

By: To ---
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by: Networking among "Exclusi   

In this day and age, the networking is helpful for career as well as life in general. Smart girls who go to camp with the offspring of governors, legislators and CEOs use those personal connections to get in the door of places for INTERNSHIPS and JOBS.

By: Networking among "Exclusi
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#3by:    
#3    

Camp is important for TEXAS girls (only) of a certain background. Person above me is talking about it like it's for royalty, but money determines everything in Texas. Plenty of very humble roots with deep pockets send their kids to camp too, honey. Not to mention the friends of friends who beg for financial aid. Anyway it's a very great networking opportunity and tons of fun. Very socially acceptable to say you went to camp instead of interning at the NY Stock Exchange. You make lifelong friends in a genuine way at these camps. Waldy and CLH pack a particular amount of power.

In the rest of the country, camp is indeed considered something you do if you're headed to Ole Miss and aren't the sharpest tool in the shed. Girls from certain families typically go to certain camps until they reach high school, then it ends. On the east coast, interning, travel, and certain private club memberships are at the center of how people "network" their kids. On the west coast, it's pretty much the same minus the old money old family stuff.

By: just to clarify one thing
by: bevot    

got news for you. Money determines everything not just in Texas but pretty much everywhere.

Tons of girls on the east coast go to summer camps. Its not just a texas thing. The only people who look down on it are the ones trying to grow up too fast with worthless internships for 14 year olds. Relax and have some fun while you are young. If you meet some fun interesting people along the way all the better. Texans have this right.

By: bevot
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by: I kind of agree   

But I think CLASS determines everything and it has nothing to do with money. Camp is an amazing tradition in Texas. People need to be young and not care about the real world for a bit. It's healthy.

By: I kind of agree
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by: Y'all crazy   

"Not to mention the friends of friends who beg for financial aid."

Lol! Really? They actually beg for the funds to go to camp.

By: Y'all crazy
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#4by:    
#4    

bump

By: asdjkl
#5by:    
#5    

From New England, still spent a month at a summer camp up here, most of my friends did and I had a whole group of "camp friends" that I looked forward to seeing each summer. Idk why the idea of summer camp being fun and something kids enjoy seems so incomprehensible.

By: Not from Texas
#6by:    
#6    

Its sad that so many of you are getting so defensive of your "camp" experience and can't see it for what it really is. I am really glad you enjoyed your time there.

By: --
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#7by:    
#7    

From what I'm reading, no one shat on camp. People are just wondering what the deal is. It's a cultural thing!

By: oos pnm

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#8by:    
#8    

The older girls taught me how to deepthroat at camp. Good times

By: cpnfession
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by: hahah   

my favorite comment on my favorite thread

By: hahah
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by: woodchuck   

i didn't know alpha phis were camp girls too

By: woodchuck
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by: muchacho   

This is a good skill for you to learn ladies. I 100% support camps with this on the curriculum.

By: muchacho
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#9by:    
#9    

Um wait, camp only costs $5,000 in Texas?

By: Northeast
by: lol   

actually though. that's kind of cheap

By: lol
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by: To Northeast   

Yeah -- the inexpensive cost of living is just one reason so many people move to Texas from the coasts, especially the Northeast.

By: To Northeast
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by: ahaha   

5k for a month? what a bargain

By: ahaha
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#10by:    
#10    

$1.5 million only buys you a shack over there. A literal. Shack. The barn Jesus was born in. A toolshed. It's outrageous.

I like how you can get so much space in Texas for so little.

By: just going to be honest

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