In 2009, at the ripe young age of 14, if you had told me I would spend 7 summers of my life camping out in the wilderness, cooking countless meals over fires, going hiking and canoeing and actually enjoying myself, I would have told said you were completely insane. But here I am, counting the days until my finals are over so I can return to my home away from home, Camp Newaygo.

Since 1926, Camp Newaygo has been home to thousands of young girls all over the country, and the globe. It’s an all girls resident camp, located on the beautiful Lake Pickerel in small town Newaygo, Michigan. This year we are celebrating 90 years of shaping young girls into strong, successful, and independent young women, and I could not be more excited to be a part of it.

I was lucky enough to be able to spend 3 summers at camp as a camper, and return for 2 years as a counselor, 1 year as Cabin Director, and this summer I am returning as Waterfront Director. So yes, if you couldn’t tell, I am in love with Camp Newaygo. Every day I’m using skills or telling crazy stories that I’ve gained by spending so many weeks at camp.

I’m always grateful for all of my time I’ve spent at Camp Newaygo, and I’m constantly linking things to it in most conversations. Here are only a sliver of some of the reasons I choose to spend every blissful summer at Camp Newaygo.

1. A summer away from technology is a blessing.

I know exactly what you’re thinking. Jackie, you’re the queen of Snapchat, how can you survive without technology? And honestly, I love it. For all of our campers, it’s 100% technology free. The only communication with the outside world is letters in the mail, and the occasional care package from friends or family. For staff, we do get on average 1-2 hours a day on break, and some do choose to spend it surfing the web in our staff hut. However, there is a certain peace of not having my phone connected to my hip. We offer so many activities at camp such as zip lining, archery, fencing, paddle boarding, outdoor cooking and even Beyoncé Appreciation class (taught by me of course). With so much of my day packed with planning activities or just enjoying the company of energetic kids, I honestly don’t really think about anything else. I do send my friends the occasional “yes I’m alive, no I haven’t been eaten by a bear and of course I love and miss you” texts, but that’s about it.

2. I've learned more about myself at camp, than anywhere else.

Tuesday nights are camp out nights, where we take the kids somewhere off camp, sleep in tents and cook dinner and breakfast over a fire. It’s an absolute blast, and is always some of the most fun times of the session. Believe it or not, with 10 crying 7 year olds (5 of them homesick, 3 have to pee and 2 are super bitter you didn’t let them bring their favorite toy on the camping trip), in a tent that you had to ductape to a tree because not all the tent poles were included in the bag, you learn a lot about yourself. You learn that: 1. You’re not always the priority. 2. Singing camp songs almost always can help and 3. You will survive. I’ve spent many nights in a soggy tent, laying on a root, in the pouring rain, thinking that it would be the end of me, and I still lived to tell the tale! You’re much stronger than you think you are, and camp challenges you to bring that side out of you and become the best version of yourself possible.

3. It's made life long friendships and connections.

Camp Newaygo is where I can pinpoint almost all of my lasting relationships. There’s something special about spending 8-10 weeks, seeing the same 25 staff members for every class, meal and evening activity. You grow like a very tight family, which isn’t surprising seeing how strong the alumni presence is at camp. Many of our camp alumni come back and help teach classes like synchronized swimming, wilderness women and even ukulele! Many of us are constantly sporting the famous “LYNSF” blue bracelets, which stand for Love Your Newaygo Sister Forever. It’s not only a catchphrase, but also a promise that no matter where we go in life, we always will love the people that we call our Newaygo sisters.

4. Everyone belongs at Camp Newaygo.

Looking back at photos from my first summer at camp, I always cringe and dry heave. I was the camper who came in with acid washed skinny jeans, converse and colorful headbands. Regardless of my horrifying appearance, and completely inappropriate attire for summer camp in July, I was loved the minute I stepped on camp. From meeting our smiling and welcoming camp director, Jane Vitek, to taking my swim test with groups of girls who would soon become some great friends (and even later co-staff members), I was encouraged and immediately felt a part of the family. Even now as a staff member, I know I’ll always be loved and accepted, no matter how many pairs of crocs I wear. (They’re super sensible, okay?)

5. Kids are awesome.

Now, some of you may argue with me on this one, and that’s okay. Not everyone is meant to love kids, but I absolutely do. Camp Newaygo attracts the most extraordinary girls from all over. I’ve met some of the coolest kids on the planet by working at camp. Some of these girls are so incredibly talented, whether it be in writing, arts, or even at sailing. If you couldn’t tell, camp is exhausting. From 7:30am to around 10pm they are constantly running around, and it’d be so easy to complain and beg for naps. However, many of these girls tackle any challenge with extreme amounts of enthusiasm and huge smiles on their faces. It’s an incredible experience watching kids you met at age 7 or 8, grow into mature and wonderful people, who later follow in your footsteps, and become counselors themselves.

6. Appreciation for nature is extremely important.

The planet we live on is truly incredible and there’s so much of it that we don’t get to experience. By spending our summers outdoors, exploring all that camp’s woods have to offer, we are giving these girls an insight to just how much there’s left to see on Earth. Camp Newaygo has a bog, and we take the campers through it on a hike, and there’s so many plants, bugs and even hidden lakes to check out! Many of these girls come from suburbs, where the only nature they see is on TV, so any opportunity we can give them to just explore is vital. We also have a “leave no trace” policy, to help teach girls that we need to take care and appreciate our planet and everything that it does for us. You’ll be hard pressed to find much trash on camp, or even unkempt gardens. Each cabin or unit is assigned a “caper” for the week, to help take care of camp and keep it beautiful throughout the entire summer. It’s a great way to teach girls to take responsibility and care for the things that they love most.

I could go on, and on about so many of the reasons I am grateful to work at camp, but I’ll save that for my first best selling novel.

So, if you’re looking for a job where you get paid to have an absolute blast, hang out with the coolest children, and make the best friends of your life, look no further. Camp Newaygo can be your home too.

Only 4 weeks and 2 days until I get to make my first plunge of 2016 into Lake Pickerel, but who’s counting right?