I served as a camp counselor at "Inspire Sports Camp" in Red Hook, New York for a week from July 7-13. It was an awesome time. There were both moments of frustration and joy. There are a few lessons I took away from being there that I'd like to share.

Continue to be yourself when you don't think you have what it takes.

I had a great co-counselor named Bayo who is a former defensive football player in college. He seemed to have great command and confidence in leading our cabin. I, however, didn't always have the confidence. The boys did listen and follow instructions for the most part but I had moments when I wondered if I was fit for this.

When I have ever struggled to do well at anything that involved working with other people, I have a tendency to think I'm not good enough. But, of course, I've been told to always be myself and to not try being someone else's personality and charisma. One sacrifices authenticity when he does that.

Children are worth every moment of your time with them.

I spent a lot of time with the kids in my cabin and outside my cabin. Whether it was seemingly trivial conversations at the dinner table or a kid opening up to you at the last day at camp, kids were ultimately the reason why I'd go back. I had four kids I connected with outside my cabin, three of them I had connected with when playing soccer. I didn't have conversations with them on a regular basis but any moments I was able to be with them were never trivial to me.

Relish the quiet, uninterrupted moments of life when you're frequently surrounded by noise.

I'm a very chill guy. Meaning, I don't express a lot of energy around people. I've been described as calm, chill, kind, and so forth. Well, when you're at camp it's important to have those occasional breaks when you can recharge your soul. Thankfully every counselor was given an hour break every day in the midst of the organized turmoil.

I would oftentimes go to a small, secluded room that was quiet where I could drink coffee and spend time with the Lord. Just having that alone, quiet time with the Lord as well as to catch up on reading is something to be cherished and relished when you have a busy life.

In short, continue to be yourself when you don't think you have what it takes, children are worth every moment of your time with them and relish the quiet, uninterrupted moments of life when you're frequently surrounded by noise. One of the most amazing things about summer camp is that it is truly a fertile ground for growth and reflection. I truly came to know certain things about myself that I otherwise might have not known if I had not done summer camp.