Things were so much easier back when the only care we had was what our mom's packed us for lunch and who our next playdate would be with. Sometimes I wish I could trade places with my campers and just be six and seven again. Having a narrow view of how ugly our world is and all the issues and problems that happen daily. I wish my only worry was waking up for camp every morning.

Summer camp was always something to look forward to. The school year was finally over and now summer was here. It was time to go to the beach, play games all day long, and relax. But on the first day of camp, no matter if you knew your friends would be there too, it was like the first day all over again. A knot would tighten in your stomach and your grip would grow stronger on your parent's hand. You'd be sitting in the car thinking, "Will I make friends?" "Will they like me? Will it be fun?" while biting down on your lip as you grow anxious.

Everyone always fears the unknown. That is something I hate because you have no control over it. But, you would have a general idea of how you'd be spending these mornings or afternoons but you wouldn't know how they'd really end up turning out. So you'd sit there in the car listening to your parent, or whoever took you, reassuring you that it will be fun and you'll love it -- but you knew that only you could be the true judge of that. Pulling into the camp you'd realize that you would now have to leave and go and spend hours with all these strangers hoping to have fun and make new friends. Honestly, it's a weird concept to think about.

Now it was just you and the group you'd be placed with and you'd pray that you could find at least one person to play with and be your friend. Your counselor would be very friendly, making you feel more comfortable and safe. Now it was time to see who you'd get along with best. During games, you'd start small conversations or compliment someone on their sneakers or something. Then you would feel like you've been friends for years (everything is more dramatic when you're six). Though the days would be long and exhausting, feeling hot and tired from playing games and the constant movement. You'd complain here and there but by the end of the day you'd have a smile on your face and when your parent would ask you "how was it?" you would respond with, "I can't wait for tomorrow!" You would see them sigh out of relief and then take you home.

Growing older I grew to appreciate what camp did for me. It forced me to go out of my comfort zone; meet people that I wouldn't have met otherwise & try new things. Every day you'd do something different, learn a cool new game, and create a friend group separate from your friends at home or school friends. It was important to have both & later you'd see that some of the people you met at camp never left your side. And by the end of the summer, they'd be ready for the next to come.