The summers that I spent at camp were the best summers of my life. I went to Camp Point Clear for five summers, and then went back as a counselor after my last year as a camper. This past summer, I chose not to go back to camp. I decided to stay home for the first summer in six years to spend time with family and friends, while getting prepared for college. It was such a strange feeling not to go away for three weeks where I would be in the presence of camp friends, nature, and campfires. In a way, it felt as if my childhood was over. I would not trade my summers spent at camp for anything. I truly believe that going away to camp taught me so many life skills and lessons, and made me a much better person. Camp is an indescribable experience that can only be understood by those who were lucky enough to go. Here is what I learned from my summers spent at camp:
1. Independence
I believe that I am the independent woman that I am today because of camp. The first summer I was sent off eight hours away to camp, I was nervous about being separated from my family for 3 1/2 weeks in a strange place where I was surrounded by strangers (besides two of my cousins). Honestly, for the first few days, I cried in my small twin bed as I went to sleep, but after the first week was over, I discovered that I loved the independence that I was experiencing. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by new people and experiences that I could enjoy all on my own. Today, as a freshman in college, I believe myself to be an extremely independent person, and I have no one else to thank, but Camp Point Clear.
2. Teamwork
Most summer camps revolve around teams and competitive activities and sports. This was the case at Camp Point Clear, a family-owned camp rooted in tradition. Two teams exist there: the Whitecaps and the Seagulls, and their team rivalry can be traced back to the camp's beginnings. At Camp Point Clear, the rivalry intensifies each summer. Activities such as relay races and sports games bring out the competitive side in everyone who wants their team to win and gain points. Team rivalry was especially intense if your friends were on a different team, but this only made your friendship stronger. At the end of the day though, we knew that if we did not win, it was not the end of the world, and all that mattered was if we had fun. I learned vital teamwork skills and how to help out to the best of my ability. Honestly though, winning felt pretty great. GO WHITECAPS!
3. Being away from technology is good
Whenever I went to camp, I was always the nerd who turned in her cellphone. Honestly, it was not needed while I was there. Besides, there was never any service. I am so glad that I turned my phone in every year, because it allowed me to truly live in the moment and forget all of my troubles and worries at home. Camp truly acted as an outlet for me. When I was there, I could live in the Camp Point Clear bubble where the only worries I had were dealing with the excessive amount of bug bites that had suddenly appeared all over my legs.
4. To appreciate nature
At camp, I literally spent almost all day outside. That is where all of the activities were mainly held, and most of the time being outside was cooler than being in a small cabin with only two fans to cool it down.
5. How to make friends
Some of my best friends to this day are the friends that I made at camp. I went to camp without anyone that I knew my age, so it was up to me to step out of my comfort zone and introduce myself to strangers. Soon, I had made a great group of friends, and I am so appreciative for them in my life today. Camp taught me how to make small talk and meet people, which eventually allowed me to build such strong relationships with new people. My friends and I made so many memories that I will never forget, and have so many inside jokes that still bring a smile to my face. I am proud to say that I still talk to my friends from camp on a regular basis. Shout out to my Top Notch 2peat girls!
6. How to live with other people
Speaking of new friends, camp taught me how to live with no less than 10 of them at a time. There were occasions when we fought of course, but living with so many girls at one time in a TINY cabin with limited air, taught me to be more accepting, giving, resilient, and courteous. Living with one roommate in college is a breeze compared to those weeks in the cabins.
7. How to break out of my comfort zone
In addition to overcoming my shyness in order to make friends, camp taught me how to do things that I never would have done before. I have never been an athletic person, so playing sports and being competitive at camp was new to me, but I embraced it, which made me get so much more out of my camp experience. I also had the chance to go on field trips like rock climbing, rappelling, and white water rafting. Camp taught me my strengths and how to improve certain aspects of myself. At camp, I was the best version of myself. I was confident, happy, determined, and friendly. Whenever I came home from camp, I felt like a new person.
8. It's not goodbye, it's see you soon
"I want to linger a little longer, a little longer here with you." This song was always sung by the entire camp on the last night as we got ready to go to sleep for the final time in our cabins. Usually, it was sung through tears and sobbing, but the message of the song is clear: although it is time to leave, memories never fade, and friendships never die. As depressing as it sounds, camp taught me how to say goodbye to the ones that I love, and helped me to realize that distance and time makes the heart grow fonder. I always loved planning spontaneous trips over school breaks to see my camp friends. The promise of reunions was always what got me through the sad bus ride home where I would have to eventually say "see you later."
I want to thank Camp Point Clear and all of my camp friends for giving me the best summers and memories of my life. I also owe camp for molding me into the strong, independent, confident person that I am today. Camp Point Clear was a second home to me for six summers of my life, and I will always cherish them, and appreciate the profound effect that it had on me.
