Summer is an exciting time for everyone because, honestly, who doesn't like having that much time off of school? Everyone spends summer in a different way. Some go on long family vacations, some spend it in the pool in their backyard, and some spend it in bed, sleeping. Though I did many exciting things during my summer vacations in high school, one thing in particular had a great impact on me. Each summer from the summer of my sixth grade year until my senior year, I went to summer camp. That week was something I would look forward to all school year, and here are 10 reasons why.
1. You make so many friends!
The friends you make at summer camps are different than the friends you have at school because of one particular reason: most of them live far away. Your friends at school are people you see on a regular basis, but summer camp friends are some people you only see for one week each year. You grow very close to these people. At the end of the week each summer I would cry because I did not want to leave these wonderful people. We had bonded while making messes of the rooms we shared, making messes of ourselves during the games counselors prepared, and just by spending an entire week in each other's presence. Camp friends become someone you will always have a special place in your heart for.
2. In my case, you grew closer to God, because my camp was religious.
Though not all camps are religious ones, my summer camp was a Nazarene teen camp. It helped me to learn about myself and about God in a whole new way. I learned and praised Him through song, prayer, and fellowship with others, and to me, that was such a great experience. Seeing new teens each year at camp grow closer to God, their peers, and their counselors was amazing to me. God truly worked wonders during these weeks I had spent at camp.
3. The counselors become someone you will always respect and look up to.
I don't know about other students, but some of the counselors at my camp meant the world to me. I still miss some of them so much and I am beyond excited to go back as a counselor in training next summer. Some of our counselors taught me so many things about myself, about others, and about God. They taught me lessons through music, games in the mud and the rain, and insanely fun dance parties to Family Force Five songs. They taught me to love myself and others and showed a lot about being a good role model, which is not doing everything right, but accepting your mistakes and knowing that you are not perfect, but knowing that you can always do better.
4. The games.
This may only be at some camps, but my summer camp had some of the craziest, but amazing games. We jousted over mud pits, had shaving cream battles, and played some of the most intense games of anarchy I have ever encountered. We had one counselor in particular who came up with the most disgusting games. We did things like cracking eggs on each others heads and try to keep the yokes intact until we got to the other side. We played anatomy shuffle, which is where you get in two circles, one on the inside and one on the outside and walk around the circle. When the music stopped you have to find your partner and two body parts will be announced. For example, nose and armpit, and you have to touch one partners nose to the others arm pit. There is just no beating weird things like that.
5. You learn great leadership skills.
At teen camp I learned many things about how to lead others. I learned that it is very important to lead with love and grace, rather than anger and disrespect. People learn more from you if you are accepting, loving, and kind. Being a leader is not about who has more power, it is about helping the team succeed as a whole.
6. You are much more excited to get up and play outside!
Before I started going to camp, I really was not very active and I didn't really like playing outside so much. When you spend a whole week with some of your favorite people outside and playing all kinds of crazy games, you want to be outside.
7. The speakers are amazing.
At my camp, we had a new speaker each year, and one year we actually had two speakers. Each speaker brought in a new way of life, a new perspective, and new topics. Chapel was always an excellent part of camp, actually my favorite part. During chapel so many students praised together and sat attentively while the speaker taught us a lesson they had learned in their lifetime. It was amazing to see something from another point of view and to learn so much more with each day of camp.
8. No matter the weather, we still had crazy amounts of fun!
Even when it would pour down raining, we still managed to have fun. Even though the outdoor games were sometimes slightly more hilarious and gross, we still had plenty of games to play inside and the counselors made sure they were awesome.
9. The people you meet at camp will always make sure you know you can do anything.
Even if it is the smallest thing, like a game we play at camp, you will always be supported by your teammates and even the people on other teams. We have done some crazy games and some of them are very hard, but your camp family will always help you and make sure you know that you can do it.
10. The people you meet at camp become your family.
Knowing that for one week every summer you were going to get to spend time with these people, and then talking to them for the entire school year was wonderful. I met so many people at camp that I know I am going to be friends with for my entire life. Each person there comes from a different home, a different family, and a different way of life, but we all come together for a week and become such good friends. I wouldn't trade my crazy and dysfunctional camp family for anything in the world. They have made that one week every summer so worth while and they brighten up my days every day.
Going to camp each summer was a wonderful experience for me and I hope it was for all of the other campers who went with me. I loved each and every moment and I am so happy that my brothers and my sister get to go now and meet all of the wonderful people who have changed my life for the better.
