It wasn't too long ago that I was starting my freshman year of high school. I remember the anxiousness I was feeling starting a new and very big school. However, before even starting school, I was in the band and was going to go through my first ever band camp. After going through four years of band camp in high school, the memories, good and bad, will forever be with me.

1. You are an expert on keeping yourself cool in the blazing sun

Tank tops, nice shorts, and that towel that stays cool for hours at a time

2. You for sure have a massive water bottle to keep yourself hydrated

3. Sunscreen is no joke unless you want to hurt for the rest of camp and look like a big lobster

4. The metronome (some know as Dr. Beat) will be your best friend for the next two weeks

5. Sweat bees are your worst enemy

6. Themed days for band camp are the best

7. Band camp never fails to be on the hottest days of the summer

8. Your tan lines are always the weirdest

The sock tan line truly never goes away

9. You are always on time because if you aren't, you are definitely running laps around the field

10. "That one time at band camp..." gets old really REALLY fast

11. Snowcone/popsicle days are always the best

12. Never leave the house without your dot book and markers!!

13. "No playing this run thru" is music to your ears

14. Be prepared to repeat sets over and over again

15. You always start walking with your left foot

16 . You are actively aware of your surroundings

Between color guards flags and wind instruments getting too close to you during a set, you better watch out so you don't hurt yourself

17. Once you hear old show music, you have immediate nostalgia

18. You come home at night to find astroturf in your shoes

19. You will argue with anyone that marching band is a sport

From all the long nights of working on the show, you finally perform it in front of all the band parents, friends, and community. From beginning to end, the whole band did it together. I look back on my experience in band as a positive one that taught me responsibility and how to work together as a team. I am so glad to have been a part of it.