I have this radical thing that I love to do. I love to work. While I hear my friends whine and complain about their jobs, I just think of how lucky I am to be able to do what I love. I work at a summer camp, and I strongly believe that everyone in their life needs to experience summer camp. Whether you were a child who was a camper, a counselor in your college years, or a parent to a child who attends camp, you realize that it is something important. It should be a part of your life. Camp is remarkable, amazing, breathtaking, life-changing, and truly like nothing else in this world. Camp is indescribable because it does things that no other place in this world can do. People need camp. This is why everyone needs to experience summer camp:
1. You learn not to care about what other people think.
Today's society has so many standards. People are expected to act a certain way, dress a certain way, and look a certain way. The most beautiful thing about camp is none of that matters. It is acceptable to dress up in a costume if you would like, and it is is acceptable to dress "normal" too. Camp shows you that it is okay to be different, and in fact you should be happy you are. It is okay to be yourself in a world that encourages you to conform. Camp helps you be comfortable in your own skin.
2. You have a new perspective on life.
Camp has people from all over the world come to either work, or attend camp. This means camp has people from diverse backgrounds, ages, races, religions, orientations, cultures, socioeconomic classes, and so much more. Meeting people who live a different life than your own helps you have a new outlook on life, and a new respect for people. You also learn to realize what is really important in life.
3. You become prepared for anything life can throw at you.
As a camper, even at young ages, you are learning valuable skills at camp. You are learning how to live with other people, work as a team, and try new things. As a counselor, you develop keen critical thinking skills. You also become very resourceful. As a parent, you can learn a lot from sending your child to camp as well. They come home with valuable lessons for you to learn, and you learn how to let your child become more independent.
4. You learn how to live without technology.
People can barely go minutes without looking at their phones. Camp forces you to put your phone away and take a break from the tweeting, snapping, texting, emailing, and all of the pressure technology has on us. By being able to put that technology on hold, you gain so much. You get to truly appreciate the nature around you, and you get to have real conversations with people.
5. You learn that you can do anything you set your mind to.
Camp pushes you to try new things. People surprise themselves everyday at camp. Sometimes it is little things like a teenage girl feeling comfortable enough not to wear make-up, or a little boy conquering his fear of heights on the climbing wall. It can also be big things too. It can be a place where people find themselves. Camp is a place for people to break out of their comfort zones, and surprise themselves with all they can accomplish.
6. If you are a camper you get to have the time of your life. If you are a counselor you have the time of your life knowing that you are the reason behind campers' happiness.
As a kid nothing is more fun than summer camp. There are so many adventures, and activities to do. As a counselor it is even more fun. You get paid to make an impact on a child's life. Counselors get paid near-to nothing, but they do not do it for the money. They do it for the emotional paycheck. The fact that you were the reason for a child's smile is worth more than any penny you could earn.
7. You make more than lifelong friendships, you become a part of a family.
Camp is a place where there is no need for cliques, exclusion, or hate. It is a place where people are a family. It does not matter where you come from, how much money you have, what race you are, or what religion you practice. Camp is welcoming to all. Friendships and family form at camp because people there truly care. People should experience camp because they can then experience what it means to have true friends. True friends who have seen you at your best, and your worst. True friends that make you laugh, and are there for all your tears. True friends that know everything about you, and still stand by your side.
It is crazy to say that a place changed your life, but if you have ever been a part of camp you know it is true. There is a quote often used for Greek Life. It is, "From the outside looking in, you will never understand it. From the inside looking out, you will never be able to explain it." I find that quote to be more fitting for camp. Camp makes you a better person. I am the best person I can be when I am at camp. It is impossible to fully comprehend the power that camp has. That is why everyone should experience it. It is never too late to try camp. Camp has this power to bring out the best in you, and make you feel alive. It is never too late for that feeling. Everyone should experience camp because everyone deserves to have another home away from home.
