Ah, camp names, family-style meals, crackling campfires, and fresh mountain air… life really doesn’t get much better than summer camp!
I don’t know about you, but I have super fond memories of my 14 years at Girl Scout camp. I attended Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio’s Azalea Trails every year as a camper from 1999 through 2009, went through the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program, went on to work as a camp counselor, and eventually became an assistant camp director at a neighboring camp. But one of my favorite parts of the summers I spent in the great outdoors? The wacky lingo. Always the lingo.
Pin this post for later!
It’s almost like summer camp has it’s own secret language—a special connection to camp magic that you can only share with someone who has been through it with you. It doesn’t always make sense (and sometimes it’s straight up silly) but, as a camper, you always felt super cool when you could talk the talk, just like the counselors.
Whether your summer camp days are recent or long gone (or you’re new to camp altogether!), put your camp savvy to the test with this fun quiz!
Let's start of slow: what does BIFFY stand for?
Correct!Wrong!
Alright, now define Flashlight Fairy:
Correct!Wrong!
Only true summer camp lovers will know this one! What do you call these things?
Correct!Wrong!
Which one of these words is the name for a circular platform tent where campers get to live?
Correct!Wrong!
Which of these animals is the early morning swim club named after?
Correct!Wrong!
Okay, which of these yellow-colored things is a REAL Banana Boat?
Correct!Wrong!
Halfway there! What's a Kaper?
Correct!Wrong!
What's the name for the person who sets the tables and brings out the food during camp meal time?
Correct!Wrong!
Nose Bag: do you know what it is?
Correct!Wrong!
He's something like a tiger, something like a badger, and something like a jaguar. What's this magical camp mascot's name?
Correct!Wrong!
What's the name for the thing these campers are hangin' out on?
Correct!Wrong!
Think back to last night campfire... What's the official name for the wishes that you wrap around a stick before placing them in the fire?
Correct!Wrong!
Last one! What does Mess Kit mean?
Correct!Wrong!
13 Words You'll Only Know If You've Been to Summer Camp
Are you sure you've been to summer camp?
It looks like you could use some help in brushing up on your summer camp lingo! 😉 Have no fear, we've got tons of summer camp options for you to explore at www.camprocks.org. Whether you want to learn to ride a horse, hang out in the Art Barn, or improve your shot at archery, you'll have the best summer of your life as you hang out with our camp mascot, Roxy Raccoon!
Woah, we've got a professional summer camper over here!
We can tell you've left your heart buried by the 3rd fence post because you definitely know your summer camp lingo! Camp magic is a huge part of your life and we're willing to bet that at least 70% of your summer wardrobe is tie-dye. Are you sure you're not our camp mascot, Roxy Raccoon? 😉 (Psst -- sign up for your next summer of fun at www.camprocks.org!)
You definitely know your stuff!
So maybe you don't live at camp during the summer, but you still love to go! Camp is a huge part of your life and you're always thankful for your week-long escapes to the mountain air, where you get to meet lifelong friends, try new things, and enjoy the magic of camp! Are you coming back to camp with us this year? Sign up to hang out with Roxy Raccoon at www.camprocks.org!
Share your Results:
Alright, so how’d you do? I got 13 out of 13, but I did create the quiz, so I guess that doesn’t count… 😉 Let me know in the comments below how you scored, the years you attended camp, and what your camp name was, if you had one!
Marissa Vessels—Marissa is a lifelong Girl Scout, Gold Awardee, and Marketing Manager at Girl Scout of Northern California. Though she’s originally from Southern California (Yay, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council!), she moved to the East Bay to attend UC Berkeley and never looked back. One of her favorite things about Girl Scouting in the Bay Area is all the incredible hiking and camping options available to girls who love to explore the outdoors!
10 out of 13
We didn’t have yerts or tree beds at the camps I attended or worked at in Kansas. Was a camper from 1977-1982, PA then CIT from ’83-’89. Camp Staff from ’90-’94. Volunteer at various camps from’95 to present.
10 out of 13. Attended from 1994-1997; Staffed summer of 1997 & 1999-2005; Camp name: Flower 🙂 We didn’t have yurts, we had actual platform tents and covered wagons.
I got 6 of 13, my result was “So maybe you don’t live at camp during the summer, but you still love to go!” Bahahaha. I literally lived at camp year round for 5 years, my parents were the camp directors and our house was on the campgrounds. Maybe some of these terms are regional or maybe I am just too old?
The Trailhead is for you: troop leaders and volunteers who are looking for resources, support, inspiration, and answers to your most pressing questions.
Looking for something?
Join our community of 2,341 Girl Scout volunteers!
Marissa Vessels—Marissa is a lifelong Girl Scout, Gold Awardee, and Marketing Manager at Girl Scout of Northern California. Though she’s originally from Southern California (Yay, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council!), she moved to the East Bay to attend UC Berkeley and never looked back. One of her favorite things about Girl Scouting in the Bay Area is all the incredible hiking and camping options available to girls who love to explore the outdoors!
That hammock was not a tree bed. Get a legitimate picture or change the answer to the question.
10 out of 13
We didn’t have yerts or tree beds at the camps I attended or worked at in Kansas. Was a camper from 1977-1982, PA then CIT from ’83-’89. Camp Staff from ’90-’94. Volunteer at various camps from’95 to present.
10 out of 13. Attended from 1994-1997; Staffed summer of 1997 & 1999-2005; Camp name: Flower 🙂 We didn’t have yurts, we had actual platform tents and covered wagons.
The yurts at our camp (the ones in the picture) are reserved for CITs only. 🙂
and at Azalea Trails everyone – except counselors get to sleep in yurts!
10 of 13. Been volunteering at camps for about five years.
— Widget
I got 9 correct. I have worked at summer camps for 5 years and go by M&M
I’ve been a Girl Scout for 55 years, staff at 2 camps here in CA for a combined 41 years. Never ever heard of a wood cookie.
Thanks for the fun quiz, Marissa! A very sweet stroll down memory lane, indeed.
12 out of 13. LIT one year. Camp Counselor at Rucker Lake, Menzies, and Skylark Ranch over 4 years. Camp name: Limey
13 out of 13. I’ve been a scout for over 30 years. Camp name: Joey (baby kangaroo)
I got 6 of 13, my result was “So maybe you don’t live at camp during the summer, but you still love to go!” Bahahaha. I literally lived at camp year round for 5 years, my parents were the camp directors and our house was on the campgrounds. Maybe some of these terms are regional or maybe I am just too old?
I’ve been to Girl Scout camp for 11 years in a row and I swore I knew half of these.