JAMESTOWN — Shake it off, Jamestown — 115 Taylor Swift fans between the ages of 8 and 14 years of age headed to the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center on Dec. 16 for its first-ever Swifty Camp.
“Over the summer, we learned how many of our counselors were Swifties. They were constantly talking about the tour and who was going. We took the excitement they [the counselors] had for Taylor Swift and thought it would be a great idea for a camp! We have seen a lot of enthusiasm from parents and kids for the event,” said Stephanie Smith, Community Outreach and Development Director.
Upon arrival, the VIP guests were greeted by security and paparazzi as they walked the red carpet into the event where they checked into their cabins before heading to dinner.
“I just want to have fun!” exclaimed 10-year-old Ella.
A group of excited, bejeweled Swifties said they couldn’t wait to hang out with their friends, sing loudly and stay up late.
Campers dined on Swift’s favorite food (chicken tenders), decorated cupcakes, and made and traded friendship bracelets all before the main entertainment began.
Among the mirrorballs and strobe lights, the young fans screamed their favorite lyrics into microphones while dancing along to Swift’s recent Eras Tour soundtrack.
At the end of the night, campers headed back to their Swift album-themed cabins for some giggles and gossip before falling off to slumber.
At daylight, the sparkle was still shining as campers headed down to breakfast talking about the memories they made with old and new friends. As the Swift lyric says, “make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it”.
A grown-up Swifty Camp, adults 21+, is scheduled for Jan. 20 at the center.
To find out more about Jamestown 4-H Educational Center and upcoming events, visit its webpage.
