(734) 996-9622 (phone) | (734) 661-8005 (fax)
What Kids say about AGQ
“To me camp is a home away from home. It’s somewhere I can come to get away from my troubles and worries. It’s a place to meet new people and learn about yourself. I love camp AGQ!” LIT, age 14
“It means a time to be yourself and have fun with new friends (and maybe some old). It also means a time to get to know these people in your cabin that you spend 1 or 2 weeks with.” Age 10
“Camp means fun, and it’s a time where you are able to be yourself, or whoever you want to be. It’s a place to meet new people which is great and I love it.” Age 12
“Camp is one of the most amazing places in the world ~ full of love and happiness and everything else a person could ever need.” LIT, age 15
“Camp means having fun, making new friends, and trying new things.” Age 11
“For me camp was a new experience. Though this was my first year I felt like I belonged from the start. Camp is a place where I can comfortably be myself. Camp means wonderful friends, and memories never to be forgotten. Camp means my home away from home, my place of belonging.” LIT, age 15
“I remember a quote that used to be on a table at camp. It read; ‘The worst day at camp is still better than the best day out of camp.’ While I was at AGQ I truly agreed with that quote…camp was the most positive experience I have had in my life. The intense energy and love brought out the best in everyone.” -Monica Johnson, 1989-1995
“Outside of my immediate family, Camp was (and still is) the single most important place and group of people I have in my life. When your day to day life becomes hectic or sad, I have memories and images that I can evoke from AGQ that can put a smile on my face. At age 3, my son now knows Jr. Birdman but still can’t figure out how to do the thing with your hands!”
-Matt Aberbach, 1978-1997
“AGQ was like a family I would visit during the summers to escape a difficult life in East Detroit as a teen. Counselors would build my self-confidence and I would make lasting friendships. I remember counting the winter months, and then days before camp started. These were the best years of my youth.”
-Luke Livingston, Camper, CIT, Counselor, Senior Counselor 1972-1978
“Camp means setting aside the world we’ve always known, and accepting the world we’ve always known could exist.” –Heidi Rosbe, Camper in early 90s, Counselor 1999, Waterfront Director 2001, 2002
“Camp is a place that allowed me to be secure enough to try things that normally I never would have. From swimming the lake to counseling 15 15 year olds, from sleeping outside without a tent to trying to feed teenage girls on a fire in the rain. It was a place that showed me I could do anything as long as I tried, and try anything as long as I was willing…It was my summer home, and remains my best childhood memories.
-Emily Hopkins (Gordon) 1981-1997
“We used to talk about the summer ‘ego boost,’ because it was a place where everyone was accepted and an important part of the team. Going to camp over the summer helped you feel so good about yourself, it lasted all winter. –Steve Whiteside, 1986-1995
“Camp keeps me smiling far past when I leave; it keeps me smiling all year round ‘til I am back again.” -Mary Beth Holland, former camper and current counselor
“Camp has been one of the best experiences I have ever had up until this day! Camp was a challenge that I didn’t expect, it taught me a great many things, like perseverance and leadership. Most importantly, it gave me self awareness…Having spent 3 months away from my family in Australia and entering into a very different experience to what I was used to was tough, but extremely rewarding…Finally, the friendships made with staff from America and other parts of the world exceeded my expectations! Camp to me was a truly special, life changing place.” -Kylie Dening, Waterfront Director, 2000
Poem by Patti Dizon, Camper and staff in the 1990s-2000 |
“Camp was so many things to me…my heart longs for the days on the dock, longs for the cool trips to bubbling springs, cold mornings on dining hall porch cause there is no way we are getting to that water. Of course for Stairway to Heaven, Jungle Love, Camp Al-Gon-Quian on to Victory…Love that place always and forever.” -Reggie, former camper and staff, 1980s
“Everything I know in life, I learned at Camp (AGQ that is)! Seriously, no joke. From love and compassion to integrity and work ethic, I learned at camp. Without camp, I wouldn’t be the father, husband, or good friend I am today.” -Scott Sundheim, 1987-1996
“Al-Gon-Quian is a never-ending story for me. With every visit, session, and summer, a new memory is formed and thus a new chapter is written.” -Nina Palmer, Camper 1991-1995, Counselor 2000-2001
“Camp is: A place where I was at my best because of the love from the people around me; The best job I ever had, surrounded by the best people; Where everyone’s differences melt away, and they share a common love, goal, and appreciation of camp; The last time I got to spend all summer in a bathing suit; Last but not least, the place where I met my husband.” -Julie Mayers LeGassick 1991-1996
“Camp was the most bitter sweet experience, I have ever had. I was blessed by the presence of all the characters that entered my heart but am now left with only the thoughts. What I would give for one more day at agq.” David Sullivan, Counselor 1999-2002
“Camp is one of the most important things in my life. When I get down, sad, depressed whatever, I think about one thing…. every time! Waking up at the bell in cabin 5. Front left, top bunk so you could look out the window at the lake, and then the other window to see the lodge. Taking a deep breath of ‘camp morning air.’ That smell is unmistakable. I’ll never forget what that smell makes me feel like. The smell, or even remembering the smell makes me feel so good. The friends, girlfriends, and memories are all amazing too, but that feeling I get thinking of that moment in the morning - with the quite lake and morning dew – makes me feel awesome.” Adam Comstock, 1986-1992
