Camp Traditions
Camp Sunshine Song
We're at Camp Sunshine, to have a good time
And learn some new skills every day.
We're at Camp Sunshine to have a good time
And make some new friends along the way.
We're at Camp Sunshine and we're feeling fine
And we love to sing this song.
We're at Camp Sunshine, for such a short time
And we're glad we came along.
Georgia Gold
By Jon Allmett
Sunshine makes me happy
There ain't no place quite like you
All the picture perfect mornings
Covered in dew
I'm a fiend for your affections
You're a country coated smile
With your doors wide open
I'm happy to stay awhile
But before I move on
Give me one more moment
Give me just one more day
There is no place else on earth
I feel this way
It covers the grey
You're an endless sunrise
and you just won't let go
You're a piece of heaven
wrapped up in Georgia Gold
I've seen Rio Dejanero
And the southern coasts of Spain
But they could never hold a candle
To your flame
So even when those buses
Round that corner
Coming for to carry us back home
I keep you deep inside my heart
so I never feel alone
But before I am gone
Give me one more moment
Give me just one more day
There is no place else on earth
I feel this way
It covers the grey
You're an endless sunrise and you
Just Won't let go
You're a piece of heaven wrapped up in Georgia Gold
Give me that Sunday afternoon
I'm gonna stay all year
Give me that fishing rod and reel
Don't let the sunshine disappear
Forever let the sun shine on
Forever let the sun shine on...
Camp Sunshine Friendship Bracelet
Friendship bracelets are made out of regular fishing swivels, which were linked together to form a bracelet. Each year's friendship bracelet is different in design. The friendship bracelets represent the circle of friends and the bonds of friendship established during each summer camp.
The only place and time that you can get a friendship bracelet is during summer camp. Your friendship bracelet must be given to you and put on by another camper, volunteer or staff member. Placement of the bracelet on the wrist is always followed by a good ole "Camp Sunshine" hug.
History of the Friendship Bracelet
Many of you have asked where we got the idea of the Camp Sunshine friendship bracelet. Well, the friendship bracelet tradition was brought to camp by our very own Dorothy Jordan, Camp Sunshine's founder.
In preparation for the first Camp Sunshine summer camp, Dorothy visited several cancer camps to get ideas on programming and such. One of those camps, Camp One Step at a Time, based out of Chicago, IL, shared their tradition of the friendship bracelet with Dorothy. Since our first camp in 1983, the friendship bracelet has been an important part of our tradition as well.
Friendship Bracelet Designs
The first Camp Sunshine friendship bracelet had no beads but rather consisted of just fishing swivels. Every year since then, each friendship bracelet has a different combination of bead type and colors. The friendship bracelets used to be made by the volunteers prior to the campers arriving but now are made by volunteer organizations due to the sheer number of bracelets required during camp.
Camp Blessing
Oh, the Lord's been good to me
And so I thank the Lord,
For Giving me the things I need
The sun and the rain and the appleseed.
The Lord's been good to me.
Amen.