Dear Camp,

Hey, it's me. It's getting to that time of year when the countdown is under 100 days and boy, is that exciting. But, not for me. This year is the first time in 10 whole years that I won't be returning to your chilly lake and dirt roads. 10 years, may not seem like that long, but since I'm only 20, it really is half of my life. You've done so much for me, so much that I will never ever be able to put into words, but as we're coming up to the first summer I won't be returning, I think it's the perfect time to write you a little thank you note.

Thank you for everything. Without you, I would not be half of the woman I am today. You have given me more than you could ever imagine. First, you have given me lots of scars. I have scars on my legs from falling on the gravel path during Apache, a scar on my hand from that really bad rope burn I got from the sailboat that time, and lots of scars from mosquito bites I scratched a little too hard. You have given me so many cool skills I would have never learned anywhere else. Because of you, I can sail a boat, save lives (lifeguarding), shoot a bow and arrow, hit a tennis ball (not well, but still), climb a mountain, drive a motor boat, waterski, wakeboard, and eat 10 slices of pizza in a night! Because of you, I believe in myself and strive to be a better person every day. You have given me amazing opportunities summer after summer, and always pushed me to challenge myself and do my best.

You've taught me how living in a cabin by a lake is the closest to heaven I'll ever get, and that falling asleep to the sound of the wind hitting the trees is the best noisemaker I will ever have. You've taught me that life is the most precious and beautiful gift in the world, even the life of the mouse that ran through my rafters every night last summer. You've taught me that living with twelve other girls can be the hardest, but most rewarding experience in the world. You've taught me that I can learn more from my campers, then they will learn from me. And you've taught me how you can always cheer a little louder, laugh a little harder, forgive a little more, and keep on loving.

Because of you, I have learned how to give my all. Because of you, I know that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Because of you, I learned to never give up and to always try my hardest. Because of you, I learned what passion is and how to be passionate in every aspect of my life. Because of you, I learned that change is the only thing that is consistent in life, and how to embrace it instead of resist it. Because of you, I learned what true, unconditional friendship is.

You have introduced me to the most wonderful, brilliant, magical people in this world. Never did I think I would meet my best friends at age 11, but I did. You have this way of bringing people together in the most unique, special way, and those people are always there. Maybe it's sharing meals with people every day, or singing around a campfire, but whatever it is, it's unique to our little corner of the world. You have given me friends all around the world, Australia, Ireland, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Spain- the list goes on and on. Friends who truly care about me and how I am doing even when they are thousands of miles away. And those are the friends I know I can count on for anything, and that will always be there no matter what.

You have shown me how to be brave and how to stand up for myself when I don't agree with what is happening or someone isn't treating me right. You have taught me how to be loyal, and how to always have my friends backs. You have shown me how to be patient. You have taught me how to be a good listener. You have shown me what independence is. You have taught me the value of teamwork, and how to be a team player. You have shown me how to appreciate nature and all of its beauty. And you have taught me how to love with my whole heart, and how to be a leader.

Like I said, I wouldn't be half the person I am without you. Because of you, I feel that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I have the best friends, such valuable life skills, and I am confident that I can make a difference in this world. Thank you for your wisdom, kindness, and love. I will miss you more than I can even put into words this summer, but I know you are always just a few hundred miles away if I ever decide I need to come back.

Keep being yourself, and you will keep teaching these lessons over and over to the hundreds of women and girls that walk down Pine Drive every summer. Camp has it's own lifecycle, and although my time may be up, it's time for a new little girl to spend her first summer at camp and grow into a counselor one day. Every person that has come across you has made a positive impact on you, and in turn, that has made a permanent impact on my heart.

Thank you for everything, I love you more than you know.

-An Old Camper