Walking into camp Winnarainbow, down a dusty dirt road with black berry bushes scattered along either side is the most magical experience I have ever had. By the time I walk over the small creek passing under the road, I have to stop myself from running. I round the bend in the road and see my perfect little chunk of paradise. The familiar fire circle and large tipis we sleep in makes me smile so much it hurts. I see one of the counselors who has known me since I came as a 9-year-old camper and he looks at me with recognition and a kind smile. He continues walking, but as he passes me, he says, “welcome home.”
I have been going to my sleep away camp every summer for the past 10 years so I have no problem saying I grew up there and proudly calling it mine. If you have a sleep away camp to call your own, you may relate to these ways camp has shaped my life.
1. First Romance
My camp romance felt like a fairytale. I did not know what was happening, but apparently everyone else did. With shy hand holding and secret smiles, it was the innocent version of a summer fling.
2. Distance from Technology
Being away from technology for two weeks a year reminds me what it can be like to fully experience my surroundings. Advice like “take a vacation from yourself,” and “enjoy not being distracted by your cellphone,” has rooted itself into my morals. Now, I find I am the one telling my parents to put their phones away at dinner.
3. Appreciation for Nature
This goes along with number two. Marveling at bluejays, oak trees and clear blue skies showed me the happy, peaceful place I can find in nature. Breathing in clean, fresh air or seeing the stars will always remind me of camp.
4. Confidence
Camp takes me exactly as I am, in whatever state I am in at that time, and does not just tolerate me, but celebrates me. I learned to fearlessly be myself even if “the real world” tells me to be someone else.
5. My Favorite Hobbies
I remember being 11 years old and my counselors being proud that they had the girl who beat all the boys in chess. At 13, my friend spent two or three hours a day, all six weeks of that summer helping me learn to unicycle, juggle clubs and pass clubs because he knew I could do it. Now, I juggle torches. I could list off endless other moments, but the bottom line is I could not have maintained any of my favorite hobbies without this enthusiastic support.
6. Enjoyment in Trying New Things
The first few days of camp, the counselors encourage the campers to go to all different classes. I remember trying clowning for the first time; moving my body in weird ways and walking through camp making odd facial expressions. No one ever criticized it. Everyone made me believe that if I was having fun, I was doing it right. Because of this permission to maybe look a little silly starting off, I am always excited to experiment.
7. Independence
I remember looking at the list of different things I could do (improv, stilts, juggling, unicycling, poetry, trapeze, stream walks, etc.) and planning my day exactly how I wanted. My only responsibility was to discover what I enjoyed, and do it. Even though nowadays I have a few more responsibilities, planning my own life and finding the fun still come in handy.
8. Long Lasting Friendships
Even if I may only see them a few weeks out of the year, many of my best friends are from camp. From nonstop giggles and late night bonding to petty conflicts and comforting cries, we have a special connection. I know that even if I do not see them all the time, my camp friends will always be there for me and wishing me well.
