5 Reasons Why Camp Friends Are For Life
Start writing a post
Relationships

5 Reasons Why Camp Friends Are For Life

Just because camp has to end doesn't mean your friendships do.

72
5 Reasons Why Camp Friends Are For Life
Cayla Keiser

Over the summer, most of us head to some sort of sleep-away camp, whether it be for music, art, sports, or just general camp! When we go somewhere where we don't know anyone, it can be scary at first. Scary until you realize that you are about to meet some of the best friends you will ever have. When I went to Gallaudet University for a week long Sign Language camp, I met some of the most amazing people. We connected instantly, and those instant connections are what brought us closer than ever and turned us into best friends. Here are the top five reasons as to why camp friends are friends for life.

1. There are no previous misconceptions of who you are.

Chances are you have been going to school with the same people since elementary school. You have watched each other grow up and evolve into the people you all are today. Friendships are formed early on, many of which die out by the time high school comes around. You will form new friendships, but the likelihood of you becoming best buds with a girl you didn’t like early on because of how she acted, how she treated the boy with the funny glasses, or a simple remark she made towards you are slim to none. Reason why? You have an idea of who she is from the outside that you are unwilling to change in the slightest. At camp, that doesn’t happen.

When I walked into camp for the first time, I sat down and started a conversation with a girl named Erin. I didn’t know anything about her except that we must have at least one thing in common, considering we ended up at the same camp. But did it matter that I had no clue who she was? Not at all. We became friends based on chance, not based on misconceptions.

2. Distance won’t matter. In fact, it’ll bring you closer.

Camp unfortunately won’t last forever. The last day will come, and the dreaded goodbyes must happen. As I stood in the lobby at 6 a.m. this past summer hugging my friend goodbye, I couldn’t help but wonder the next time I would see him. I live in Georgia, he lives in California. Not exactly a picnic in the park to see each other. It didn’t stop us from becoming incredibly close, however. Late night Skype calls and random “I miss and love you” texts throughout the week somehow made it a little easier to learn all about each other and talk about everything under the sun. I know that despite how far distance wise he is from me, he is only a short phone call away.


3. You have your own language.

In my case, my friends and I actually did. We met at a sign language camp, and throughout the week, communicated in only ASL. But, we also communicated in our own language of inside jokes, awkward moments, and unique experiences that no one else will ever be able to understand. You can try explaining it to an outsider, but chances are they will just stare at you like you’re crazy. And the jokes don’t just end at camp; you carry them with you year after year. They may escape your mind for a period of time, but it makes it all the funnier when you look back and remember them down the road.

4. You never take a single moment you are together for granted.

Last summer when I went to Boston to visit my friend Beni, we sat down for lunch. In between ordering and eating, we started catching up. We talked and talked and talked. We talked about everything under the sun from recent events to stories that predated those events by years. Halfway through the meal, we both noticed that the waitress had walked by us a few times without stopping to check on us, all because we were so into our conversation that she didn’t want to interrupt us.

The time you have with camp friends is both precious and limited. It’s not often you get together, so you have to make the most of each and every moment. It’s a time to put down the phone and spend time making memories to last a lifetime, because who knows the next time you’ll be face to face.

5. Your friendships will actually last forever.

Eight days we were friends before having to part. That's not a lot of time to become best buds. But in that time, you do meet people who you feel you'd like to get to know better and continue a friendship with. The entire basis and continuation for that friendship is long distance. You have to text, call, and video chat in order to get to know each other, unlike the relationships you build in your own community in which you can call your friend up and be at coffee within 15 minutes. Since you have become close friends from far away, there should be no doubt in your mind that you’ll be able to stay friends no matter where you end up in life. You will make every effort to see each other, even if it's only for 10 minutes. And when you do get to see each other, it'll make you jump for joy.

See? Camp friends really are the best. I’m so thankful for each and every one of mine, because God knows my life wouldn’t be the same without them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47834
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30317
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954339
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

172636
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments