Ever since my family and I moved down from Sandusky to Auburn Hills, I have had the amazing opportunity to attend a local summer camp for the remainder of my childhood years.

I remember at first being so scared on the first day of camp because I didn’t know anyone else going there with me. I protested to my mom countless times to take me back home before we even got to the car and many more times even during the 8-minute car ride. I could tell my mom was so upset with me but I still didn’t care. I’m pretty sure I cried too.

Finally, we drove into the drop-off line and I could feel my heart racing so fast that it was about to jump out of my body. There were so many people waiting to pull little kids out of their car with warm smiles, but those warm smiles looked like murderous smiles to 5-year-old me. I legit thought they wanted to kill me for a while as my mom was driving up the line. Everyone waiting at the curb was so eager to pull me out of the car, like if that doesn’t sound like the plot of a murder movie I don’t know what is.

My mom pulled up to the drop off section and I remember hanging onto the handle of my car seat so no one could yank me out. My mom was mad at me because I wasn’t willing to get out, which was holding up the line. She screamed at me and eventually got down out of the driver’s seat and picked me up and set me on the curb, gave me a hug and a kiss, ran to the car and drove away so quick… I just stood there, I wanted to cry but couldn’t bring myself to shed a tear. I couldn’t even move.

Memories like that, even though that was pretty bad, has been with me for 13 years. But it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reminiscing, things like that shaped me into the person I am. Every year I chose to go back to this summer camp that made me feel like part of a second family. It wasn’t until the past 4 years, I felt like I had a home away from home. Everyone made summer camp such a wonderful place, I have so many memories to hold on to for a lifetime now. Friends for a lifetime.

Having the opportunity to go back to this special place every year, makes me the happiest person on planet earth. Even if the kids get rowdy as the years go on. I remember most if not all the kids were so well behaved when I was attending camp compared to this past summer, where we had to constantly send kids home. But like I said before, no matter the good or bad memories, it’s what makes summer camp amazing (even if I got a headache everyday) but hey nothing’s perfect without a battle.

To all my friends from the City of Auburn Hills Summer Day Camp, thank you for all the memories from many summers that I will forever remember till I die. I’m so grateful for every one of you. I love you all so much, you will never know how much. I can’t wait to see what you guys accomplish in life, which I know is gonna be a lot.