Going to summer camp is an integral part of every American child's development. Where else can you learn the lessons Lord of the Flies while disrespecting your elders and catching cooties?
And in the 1970s, when childhood freedom reigned supreme, summer camp totally ruled.
Here are 22 pics remembering what it was like to spend your summers terrorizing underpaid teenage counselors while roasting marshmallows and previewing college party life?
1
Boy's Dorm
Camp Mountain Lake, Hendersonville, NC, 1977.
2
A Princess
Having fun at a mid-1970s summer camp.
3
Maine Summer Camp
Late 1970s.
4
Building Directory
Three friends and a group photo.
5
City Day Camp
Queens, 1977.
6
Water Skiing
An older camper in the late '70s.
7
Heading off to Summer Camp
With a Yankees shirt and a walkman.
8
Playing Volleyball
Summer camp on Koman Lake, 1970.
9
Bunk Beds
Camp Mountain Lake, 1977.
10
Summer Camp
Group photo, matching shirts.
11
Lining Up
Keeping the kids in line.
12
Tree Climbing
Boys at Camp Tamarack, 1970.
13
Tetherball
Competing for supremacy.
14
A Day at the Lake
Friends in the 1970s.
15
Rain
Post arts and crafts session.
16
Camp Swings
Perfect for broken bones and scraped noses.
17
Roasting Marshmallows
Made better by being on fire.
18
Camp Pool
Camp Mountain Lake, 1977.
19
Camp Ebenezer
A segregated camp in 1972.
20
Summer Campers
A crew in 1979.
21
Climbing a Tree
A girl in summer camp, 1979.
22
The First Space Campers
The US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL, early 1980s.
