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Camp Hopewell Sparks Nostalgia Between Generations
Sarah Hollis dropping her sons Hayes and Sloan off at Camp Hopewell Sunday, July 8, 2018. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hollis.
By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com
Summertime is filled with friends, outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, and sleepovers. All these can be found in one place—summer camp.
Oxonian Sarah Hollis passed her memories of Camp Hopewell—a Presbyterian summer camp located five miles east of Oxford—on to her two sons, Hayes and Sloan, this past Sunday when she and her husband Jeffrey dropped their two boys off at the camp she knew well from her childhood.
Camp Hopewell was established in 1949 by the North Mississippi Presbytery. It started with 10 acres, a dining hall and two cabins and has now grown to 280 acres, 12 buildings and seven full weeks of summer camps.
“I went [to Camp Hopewell] and now for them to go and share those same experiences is really cool,” Hollis said.
Although the camp built new lodging facilities, Sloan lucked out and is currently residing in the same cabin his mother did years ago, Hollis said.
The camp offers a variety of traditional outdoor activities that both Hollis’ sons enjoy. This year, Sloan is old enough to participate in archery—an event he was too young for last year.
Jeffrey Hollis and sons Hayes and Sloan. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hollis.
Hollis said her oldest son was excited to show Sloan his first full week of camp.
“It’s a right of passage to be able to teach his little brother,” she said. “We just love the opportunity for them to grow in their confidence… and just learning more about themselves, nature and Christ,” Hollis said.
Along with a week full of spiritual and self growth, Hollis said her two sons also enjoy reuniting with friends from Oxford along with those from past summer camps.
One of Hayes’ favorite aspects of camp is the talent show where campers perform and dance at the end of the week, Hollis said.
“[Hayes] performed and he’s really shy,” she said. “For him to perform was pretty stunning to us.”
Hollis said it’s fun to see her children grow after being away from their parents and home for a week.
For more information on Camp Hopewell, visit their website here.
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