Whenever I tell people I go to summer camp they always give me a weird look like I’m too old to go to summer camp. What I don’t get is why spending a month in a new place alongside people who inspire you every day is ‘just for kids’. Even if it is characterized as being for young kids, what’s wrong with acting like a kid for a little? You get to forget all your responsibilities and expectations for a month at a time, and I can’t think of something that could be better for teenagers with all the stress that is placed on us.

1. The lack of technology

People often become speechless when they hear that I willingly surrender my smartphone, laptop, kindle, or any other sort of technology for a month. Without technology, you are forced to have true face to face conversations with each other, I know, what a concept! You are able to truly connect with one another and have incredible conversations that don’t revolve around how many likes your last Instagram post got.

2. Rare opportunities

I’ve had the rare opportunity to backpack through the Rocky Mountain National Park, something I wouldn’t have been able to do on the beach. I mean, don’t get me wrong the beach sounds great, but what are you going to remember more in 30 years? I will always remember the wonderful days I spent in the mountains with 50 other girls rather than the days I spent silently lounging on the beach with a few friends.

3. Safe space to be unapologetically you

At camp, there are no social expectations or the need to look “pretty”. If you get back to camp looking like you just walked out of the mountains from a five-day backpack, chances are people will congratulate you instead of comment on the amount of dirt in your hair.

4. Learn responsibility

Each day you’re given a responsibility to bring the dishes back into the kitchen, sweep your cabin, clean the bathroom, or anything else that helps those around you. This is a reminder that everyone has to work together to make a community work, even if all you’re doing is cleaning a sink.

5. You meet people from all walks of life

While spending a month with people, not only from all states, but also from all over the world, you get the opportunity to learn about what is important to them and what living in their country is like. If you spend each summer lounging on the beach, chances are you would never get to meet these people.

6. Access to the outdoors

Whether it’s watching the sunrise from the peak of a mountain, or successfully getting your horse to canter, you are always outdoors. Getting the chance to experience nature surrounded by people you spend every day with is so rare and incredible.

7. Opportunity to challenge yourself

Every day you are challenged to put yourself out of your comfort zone, whether it’s being on an activity that you don’t have any friends in or white-water rafting for the first time. Everyone should strive to do something out of their comfort zone each day because it helps you grow as a person.

8. Living without adults

Who else can say they lived without adults telling them what to do at the age of 11? Granted, you’re still being told what to do, but by cool, college-aged counselors instead of adults like your parents or teachers. It’s mind blowing how much easier it is to listen to someone tell you what to do when they aren’t a parent, teacher, or something of the sort. The counselors truly seem to understand you, even if they only have a month to get to know you.

9. Lack of school stressors

I can guarantee there will be absolutely no tests, homework, or studying that is needed to be done. Teenagers are at an all-time high in terms of stress level and camp allows you to step away with that. A month where you don’t need to worry about standardized tests or grades, almost unheard of nowadays.