On November 15th, 2016 it was "International Camp T-Shirt Day," this seems pretty odd, and something that no one but "camp people" would really understand. However, I wear my camp shirts all the time regardless of if the rest of the camp world is dedicating that day to it, for me personally, being able to wear my camp shirts are much more than representing my camp.
Going on 9 years I have spent countless days, nights, and had many trips to camp. These ranging from just being a camper, to winter camp, to field trips to my own camp, to CIT programs, to being on staff. Almost all of these trips have resulted in a shirt of some sort. These shirts are a timeline of my experiences at camp, but also reflections of memories, laughs, conquered fears, and forever best friends. I have gone from a nine year old camper to an almost 18 year old second year counselor, and that is something I am incredibly proud of.
As that nine year camper I always wanted to one day be able to wear a staff shirt, and now I have more than I know what to do with, and that makes me feel pretty accomplished. Not only do I get these t-shirts that hold a lot of sentimental value, but the vast majority of them say things that help me to be a better person all year not just when I am at camp.
When I was growing up I always got back from camp and thought about how everyone at camp was so happy, so nice, and just the absolute best version of themselves. Then one summer I got to camp, and our theme was "be your best self," and that's what our shirts said that summer, and ever since then it has been a motto of mine, and something I try very hard to live by. That shirt may be my all time favorite article of clothing. Along with that phrase, there are two characters on the front wearing capes, superheros. Which is how I always felt about my counselors, the unsung heroes. The following summer our theme was "Let Your Light Shine," another message that has since followed me, and I have the shirts to coincide with just that. That you can be good, and you can spread that good out into the world, and it do more good. When you let your light shine, you are being the best version of yourself and showing what that means to the world, so that others will be able to follow that light that you are exuding, and they themselves will be able to do the same. The staff shirts that summer said on the back, "Professional role models of being your best self," carrying on those two themes. A shirt that I was not on staff for but I do have one of the extras, and I wear it proudly as well, when I wear that shirt and people stop me to tell me how much they appreciate my shirt it's a good feeling. Everyone has the ability to be their best self. This past summer, our summer theme, and shirts read, "Rooted in the Spirit," when you are rooted you are grounded in goodness and positivity, and you are also able to give out goodness, and fruit, fruit being happiness, love, compassion, joy, and peace, those things are important factors in being good, and giving out good into the world. Luckily, I have a shirt to not only be a reminder for myself, but a message to all those around me.
I say all this to say, that my love and passion for camp is real, and it is for a reason, and I am proud of it. My camp shirts are an extension of my summers, memories, and lessons learned. When I am looking for clothes to wear, and I see my camp shirts I am reminded of the way I should live my life, and the way I live my life when I am at camp. Yes, "International Camp T-Shirt Day," may be for "camp people," and it is absolutely a way to show your camp pride, but to me having my shirts from my years spent at camp mean a lot to me, because of the memories and the messages they send. I am so happy I have such great souvenirs that get me through the 9 months I have between my happiest days.
