Yesterday my summer at Camp Dudley came to a close. It was my first summer on staff, and it was, without-a-doubt, the "experience of a lifetime." I've grown so much in the last 8 weeks as I've learned to think on my toes, manage my time and energy, improvise when things don't go as planned while keeping 100 kids entertained, live in harmony with 28 other staff members, accept and love children unconditionally, no matter how difficult it may be with some, learn to delegate and ask for help when it's needed, take initiative at times and step back as others lead the way in others, and so many other things. I became the jack of all trades as I mastered the art of quickly packing for the overnight camping trip, not spilling milk at breakfast, getting through KP fast enough to still have a rest hour, making age-appropriate lesson plans for the Arts & Crafts Program, keeping 20 little kids safe on the waterfront, and so much more. Needless to say, it was the best learning experience I've had thus far.
Camp this summer was literally life-changing. I gained the confidence needed to overcome silent-but-toxic insecurities about myself. My belief in God flourished as I spent many night in the open forest, gazing into the heavens at his vast, beautiful, infinite creations. I learned a great ordeal about being open, accepting, and charitable to everyone.
Just this last week, I was putting pony beads in a camper's hair during arts & crafts, and we started talking about our love for camp. This 12 year-old girl expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be there (she was there on scholarship through Catholic Charity Families). She was amazed by how kind and loving and welcoming everyone was. She then explained that had been in the Foster System for four years, and was moving back with her mother a few days after camp, who she hadn't seen or talked to since she was 8 years-old. She was scared to death of facing that transition face-to-face, but she said camp gave her the courage to stand ready. The last thing she said to me was, "It's crazy that 6 days can change your life." Meeting her was definitely a "This-is-why-I'm-here" moment. She's completely right, too: Camp changes lives. It changed mine. Without it, I would not be the person I am today.
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