Camp Yawgoog, Sandy Beach. Names I will remember for years to come. I try to make an effort to review every camp I attend, and I've been excited to write this one since day 1.

I'm not going to lie, I was very spectacle as I heard many negative things from alumni of the camp. Nonetheless, I came into camp with a very eager attitude, ready for what it had to offer. I cannot even lie. The camp was incredible. The facilities were downright amazing. You can expect to be showering with a few spiders, at the bathrooms near campsites. But at the shower houses... They were clean, odorless, and not a single bug!

The food is a debate. When it comes to taste and quality it was fine. You can't really expect a 5-star meal at a summer camp, but with that being said, nothing really tasted bad... For me it was great. Not to mention everybody got a kick out of the off-brand cereals. The issue with the food however was the portioning. There were some meals where you could eat like kings and have an extra abundance of food, and others where you got 2, 3-inch pancakes. I do have to say, nobody was ever really full, but was never hungry either.

The staff there was the best part of the camp. The staff team is what can make or break a summer camp, but I had no bad experience with any staff member. I was fortunate enough to meet so many, and really kind staff there. They never lost their cool, they never yelled, and they did no more than act visibly annoyed when somebody was doing something wrong. Staff members Tyler, Gabriel, Damian, Jonah, Peter, Earl, and one more from the rifle range with a name I could not spell if my life depended on it. I think it was kiin. All the names listed above really stood out to me as outgoing and friendly. Not even to mention the waterfront staff and the "behind the scenes" workers.

This camp is buggy. I've been to camps where there was not a bug in sight and others where there are spiders crawling on your face. So if you are planning on attending here, make sure to bring, or buy a bug net.

The waterfront is important to me in a camp because I spend a lot of time there. The waterfront in Sandy beach was just incredible. It was spacious, clean, and organized, and the lifeguards were just so nice. I wish I got to know names so I could credit those that made the time there, that much more incredible.

This camp is made for troops to return year after year. When it's you're first time at camp, you're paying attention to everything, trying to figure out where stuff is and all. When you return you know where everything is already, you know the staff, and get to focus on other things. So to those that plan to come for the first time, be ready and take advantage of any tours.

The merit badges offered here are surprisingly good. I would have never known farm mechanics existed if it wasn't for yawgoog. Not even to mention this is the first camp I've been to where you don't walk away with partials if you do everything. Even for cooking. Looking back now, I should have taken a few more rare merit badges such as maybe plumbing, soil and water, or weather. Either way, I am really happy with what I took.

Yawgoog was my 5th time in an actual camp, and it is my favorite. It's just good. If you went yourself, you would agree. There are only so many ways to put it into words but it's just a good camp. Most of the negative reviews are personal issues and not even camp issues. I would recommend camp Yawgoog to any troop looking for a camp. I even set my mind on the fact I want to become staff the summer after I turn Eagle.

• Camp Yawgoog has 3 trading posts. 2 basic ones, and one for basketry/leatherwork/woodcarving supplies.
• Has a ropes course
• Has inflatables on the water
• Does not have a Brownsea or first-time Scouters program
• Very clean
• Has multiple vending machines based around camp
• Allows you to borrow fishing rods
• Offers snorkeling and paddle boarding
• Has a beautiful and clean lake
• Offers an ATV program

Head down to Sandy Beach in Camp Yawgoog!