Meat the Moment: Why Camp Meals Feel Like Home—And How You Can Help Fuel the Magic

A Special Edition Blog from Celebrate Me Week

At Celebrate Me Week, we serve three full meals and three snacks a day—but ask anyone who’s been to camp, and they’ll tell you: it’s never just about the food.

It’s the way a table makes space for everyone. The way you feel truly seen after a deep conversation about what it means to be different. The way a counselor gives up their last cookie without hesitation—just so someone else doesn’t go without.

It’s sticky syrup clinging to pancakes, second helpings of mac & cheese without a second thought, and someone shouting “Don’t forget the ranch!” from across the dining hall like it’s a love language.

Because at CMW, food isn’t just fuel. It’s belonging. It’s comfort. It’s the moment you realize you’re no longer a guest—you’re family.

Turns out, scrubbing dishes is more fun when your cabin’s got the tunes going and suds are flying. Who knew doing dishes could come with this much laughter?

That’s why we practice the art of family-style meals. Not just to feed, but to gather. To create space where passing the bread becomes part of something bigger than a meal. Where filling someone’s cup is more than an act—it’s a gesture of care.

Around that table, something shifts. Walls come down. Laughter gets louder. And strangers start to look a lot like lifelong friends.

We lean into comfort foods that feel like home—on purpose. Meals that bring back memories, spark conversation, and make you pause mid-bite because it tastes like your childhood… or your grandma’s kitchen… or a moment you didn’t even realize you missed.

Because here, the dining hall isn’t just where we eat. It’s where connection lives. Where healing happens. And where being seen, heard, and loved is always on the menu.

From Camp Tables to Kitchen Tables

That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with MTRY & Co (Formerly The Meatery)—a Southern Minnesota-based company that connects local family farms to families across the US.

They’re not just about high-quality, farm-fresh meat delivered to your door (although they do that really well). They’re about connection. About knowing where your food comes from. About supporting your neighbors.

And, as it turns out… They're all about Celebrate Me Week, too.

A cabin group enjoys waffles and sausage at breakfast—smiling, laughing, and starting the day together.

Why This Partnership Matters

This isn’t a random promotion or a surface-level sponsorship.The founders of MTRY & Co. have experienced Celebrate Me Week from every angle:

• They came to camp as 7th graders.

• They returned as volunteer staff.

• They’ve since sent their own children, nieces, and nephews through the program.

• And they even serve on our Board of Directors.

They’ve seen what the experience of Celebrate Me Week can do—and they want to give back in a way that feels true to their values.

This collaboration isn’t just about meat. It’s about creating access. It's about sharing the magic of camp with the next generation—one meal at a time.

MTRY & CO is an online marketplace that connects the producers whose products we stand by with the home chefs and food lovers who looking for

So... What’s Meat Got to Do With It?

Let’s be honest: we’re not a culinary camp.But we do love to eat.

And we know that mealtimes—whether at a camp table or a family dinner table—bring people together. So when MTRY & Co. approached us with a simple idea, we leaned in:

For every order placed using code CELEBRATE at checkout, a portion will be donated back to Celebrate Me Week.

It’s not just meat. It’s meaningful.

How You Can “Meat the Moment”

Here’s how it works:

1. Head to www.MTRYco.com

2. Fill your cart with premium, locally sourced meats

3. At checkout, use code CELEBRATE

4. Your order is packed by your Minnesota producer and shipped to your door

5. MTRY & Co. gives back to Celebrate Me Week—no extra steps needed

   
   

You get food you’ll feel great about. We get to continue offering an unforgettable, empowering experience to campers who need it most.

Ahh - The air-conditioned dining hall, where ranch is a long language.

Because Every Bite Has the Power to Give Back

From sausage links on Monday Mornings, to Tacos on Wednesday after playing the most epic game of rock paper scissors,  the meals we serve at CMW stay with you long after the week ends.

And now, the meals you serve at home can be part of that story too.

Order today. Meat the moment. Fuel the fun.Because it’s not just what’s on your plate—it’s who you’re feeding with it.

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Want to learn more about MTRY & Co. and support their mission?

Visit [www.MTRYco.com] or follow them on Instagram @mtry_co.