Summer camp. This is the week (or multiple weeks) that some of us looked or look forward to every year. The thought of it just gets you excited and brings forward so many memories. The late-night giggles in your cabin that you think your counselor can’t hear (I have been a camp counselor and sorry to break it to you, but we can hear most of them; it’s OK though, we secretly love hearing the fun you guys are having.) The many games of basketball, four-square, cards and gaga ball. The copious amounts of snacks and sugary drinks you consume during the week. The crushes you had on the cute boy or girl that sat next to you in the dining hall. Most importantly, the mentors you have gained through the staff and the life long friendships you made those weeks.
Summer camp has taught me so many different things in my life. My life was changed forever when I decided to go to this Christian camp called Suncrest Camp one summer. I honestly don’t know if I would be the person I am today if I hadn’t made that decision to go. Those of you who have been to camp I am sure can relate.
The relationships I made that week had and continue to have a huge impact on my life. My counselors are still some of my mentors and I can turn to them when I need advice, my fellow campers are still some of my best friends today, and my campers not only do I get to mentor you all, you still teach me things that I never knew I would need to learn.
Summer camp has taught me the importance of fellowship. I now have many people who can and will keep me accountable, same for me with them. We can bounce ideas off one another, encourage and uplift each other when we need it most. It has taught me the love of conversations about anything and everything. It has taught me to appreciate the small things in life. Like the simple things of sleep and showers when you get home from camp. When you have night after night of fun that you don’t want to miss or the creaky beds in your cabin that tend to keep you up at night, the best feeling is coming home and sleeping the day away in your own bed after a long hot shower. After a few nights at home though you start to actually miss those things about camp.
Speaking of missing camp, camp withdrawal is a real thing. At the end of the week, you don’t want to have to say goodbye. After you get home for a few hours, sometimes as soon as you get in the car, you want to turn around and head straight back. Back to the amazing views (open fields are the best for star gazing), the endless laughs, friendships and, most importantly, all the life lessons you learn there. So to my camp, I want to say thank you for all of those things and for becoming my home away from home.
