Hi my name is Manny, and I am Camp Manitou's mascot and one of the newest additions to the 'Manitou Family.' I was adopted by Camp Manitou in the Spring of 2001. I sit myself at the top of the hill on the way into camp. I watch over the camp and all of my Manitou friends.

I can recall so many fond memories of the summer. I would love to hear some of yours. Each month we will post a special memory on the camp website. So start sending them in.

Well, what to say about Manitou. It’s funny because I have been to three overnight camps before Manitou, and never went back to any of them. Last year at Manitou it was my first time. There are no words to describe how I feel about camp. I have never felt more at home and welcomed before camp Manitou. I have made friends that I have not seen for the year but I know when I get back to camp things will be like they were last year…because that is what camp is. It is friends that will last forever and a family that will always be there. I LOVE MANITOU! And I can’t believe another summer is going to be here in 15 days! Thanks for seriously changing my life Manitou. I love you!!!

Rebecca Chud G10 GLOW GIRLSSSSSSSSSS

I am about to start my third summer at Manitou, and my sixth summer at overnight camp. I came to Manitou when I was eleven (a sophomore), after leaving a camp that hadn't left me with very high hopes. I was genuinely surprised when I got to Manitou, at how nice the kids were, how fun the counselors were and how independent we got to be. I was in a cabin full of mostly people who had also been to other camps and then had switched to Manitou and we all made friends quickly. Despite the fact that our cabin (G11) was more of a roomy shoebox, we had an awesome time playing Whoonu and cards...on the porch. There were so many choices for activites and we got to choose our own. I tried horseback riding for the first time that summer as well as radio. I was in the play(The Wizard of Oz) and the newspaper. It was a record breaking hot summer that year, but I spent a lot of time in the lake during swimming, canoe/kayak and sailing. (Well, I shouldn't have been in during sailing, but I sunk a boat that year. Luckily, it was right near the swim docks.) The next summer I had the exact same people in my cabin (G25) plus one extra- Becky. Normally this situation would have incredibly awkward, but surprisingly enough, she fit right in and soon she was married to another member of our cabin at the carnival. I'm so excited to return this year and see what cabin I'll be in. 18 days!!!

Lani Burshtein, G11 '05, G25 '06

I remember the first time I ever went to Manitou. It seems like so long ago, but it's only been 3 years. I was totally nervous, but everyone was so nice and welcoming to me. I also remember being totally sceptical of the "everlasting friendships" that every staff member said would happen. But after seeing old friends again, making new ones, and keeping them too, i felt more confident and just plain good then i ever had. So, THANX MANITOU! LUV YA! MWA!
C YA NEXT SUMMER!
XOXO,
Katie
P.S. shoutout 2 G-22! I luv you all!

Manitou is my home away from home. It is the place that I look forward to every year. Its the place that you live 10 months for only 2. The friendships that I made will last a life time. It was my fourth year at manitou and it will deffinitly not be my last! My friends at home get sick and tired of me because I talk about camp all day. They know every thing about it. They argue how much better their camp is then Manitou but in the end I always win. Manitou has more stuff then I could ever ask for. It has the best people, the best activities, and the best well...everything!!!! When I first got off the bus and saw my cabin I wasn't to sure about the people in it because they looked like they would be kinda crazy, but they turned out to be some of the nicest people i know! Second month I wasn't to sure about changing cabins, I didnt want to leave my old cabin, and the people in it because we became as close as sisters. It turned out to be amazing! I was with friends that I made the years before, and friends that I met this year, but they will be my friends forever!I LOVE YOU GUYS AND I LOVE MANITOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vanessa Shier
Junior Girl

I went to Manitou for the first time and it was my first night at overnight camp. As soon as I stepped off the bus every one in my cabin was saying hello to me and telling me who they were and where they were from. I didn't know anybody and still they made me feel as if I was at home. A girl took me to the cabin right away to make sure I got my shelving and then we started our activities within the next day or so and they were really fun and the activity heads were so nice as were all the people. I have decided that next year I want to go to camp the whole summer because one month just is not enough. When I look back at camp this year what I remember the most is all the people and friends and participating in things I had never done before. Like World Games, and I even still wear that Sweden shirt. I'd just like to say thank you very much for making this the best summer of my life

This year was a fantasy. i must addmit that the summer of 2002 i was extremely homesick. But, this year i decided to give it a second chance. And from now on, i love taking second chances. I LOVE CAMP MANITOU!! Its all i ever talk about. And the friendships that i made, well not freidndsships but family memebers that i met well i never forget. I have never felt more at home with people i love waking up every morning to a beautiful lake, with the sun rising. I will never forget the road that lead me to my best friendships i will ever find... At manitou your a family and you do things together....... as one!
I LOVE MANITOU!!!!

-Ileana Diez-
Junior 03'

G-23 Girl, August 2002

After my 2nd summer returning, I decided that Manitou really is the greatest place on earth. I have experienced so much at my 7 week stay here. The activities that I chose to do and even the activities that I didnt choose to do were amazing. As my last summers of being campers are coming quickly I wish that I had come to Manitou and a younger camper so I could have spent more of my summers here. I came to Manitou not knowing anyone but my sister, who was 2 years older than me. In just the first week of camp I met so many great people from all over the world. The more time I spend here the more I love it. The people who were once strangers became my sisters whom I loved. From Carnival to Midnight Madness to Mandell Dances to Unit/Cabin Nights there was not a moment of the summer which I disliked. As the winter is approaching, I am counting down the days until I get to see everyone again. Even though I live far away from most of my camp friends I have been visiting them and kee ping in touch. I live 10 months for 2 and there is no doubt about it. I can't wait until next summer (even if I don't get condo) and can't wait until I see everyone again. Manitou 2nd Year Seniors 2003 its going to be soo much fun!!!!!!!

--Jackie Siegel, G-9 2002

Even though I will not be returning to camp this year, I would still have to say that Manitou is one of the best places in the world. I have spent six great years there making new friends and having the time of my life. The moment I walked on to the camp grounds I knew it would become my second home. From there I became best friends with almost every person I met, and in the last 2 years have met more people in a short period of time that have become like brothres and sisters to me. I have never had one complaint about the camp and everyone there is amazing. Last year I left after first month feeling that i did not have a very good time, but I came back second month and my only regret was that I had left in the first place. I live through the school year knowing that in a few short months I will be back at home at Manitou.

Betsy Belzberg G-24 2002!
i love all you g-24!

There are no words to sum up all that i have learnt coming to Manitou year after year. 8 summers of my life have been dedicated to this place where i long to be all year round. Manitou is place where i always feel at home, like myself, a place where i can do and accomplish anything. The people that i've met at manitou are my friends for life. Manitou has helped me realize what true friends actualy are and how important they are in my life. No matter what Manitou will always be my second home, for the sacred moments at camp are by far the best moments of my life, the ones that will never be forgotten intill the day i die.

-dory kashin
c.i.t 2002, condo girl 2001, g-14 2000, g-25 1999, g-20 1998, g-24 1997, g-23 1996, g-24 1995

Manitou has definitely changed since the first year I've been there. Manitou has not just expanded in activities but in people. I've made so many different friends over the years,and when I look at old pictures I realize how much we have all changed! Even though we've changed in size, looks, and even personality one thing is still the same about all of us, we still look to Manitou as our summer home and hopefully it will stay that way forever! One of my favourite Manny Moments was during the last day of camp while it was raining. We all still had to pack and bring our bags down to the u - haul truck. While walking down I slipped in a giant puddle at the tether ball courts. Eventually my friends and I had started a mud fight and looked like a mess at the end of it! When we got back to the cabin the other girls questioned what happened to us. We just laughed and started calling the showers. What a day!

G-21 Junior Girl I Luv U Guys Can't wait till Next Year!