To my best friends,

First, it is weird writing a letter to you instead of sitting next to you and being forced to write to our parents. You guys have been by my side for years and I don't know what to do during our first summer apart.

To my bunk: I want to start off by thanking each of you. You guys have been the sisters that I've never had. From giving boy advice to talking me through my crying fits about things that are now irrelevant, you have never failed to make me smile or laugh. We didn't even fight that much for being together every day for weeks (kinda). Lastly, thank you for teaching me that family doesn't have to bonded by blood but by love and respect.

To my counselors: Thank you to those of you who bought us food on your nights off. And to those who didn't, we knew and we've gotten you back for it. Also, thank you for covering for us when we snuck out of the cabin after curfew on our last night and teaching us how to make ramen in a hot shower. Thank you for being our older sisters and never doubting us.

To my camp: Thank you for being my second home and safe haven, free of stress and responsibility. Thank you for allowing me to grow as a person in a nonjudgemental environment. Most importantly, thank you for letting me be a kid for as long as possible and giving me the family I never expected.

To the campers who have time left: Enjoy every second of it. I would take 300 cold showers just to have another day with my cabin. These are the summers of your lives, don't waste them while trying to be "cool." Get active and sign up for the talent shows, sports leagues and the plays; you will regret not experiencing every aspect of camp if you don't. Participate in Color War, cheer as loud as you can; I promise your voice will come back. Don't worry about having a date to the social, there is plenty of time for that when you are older. Focus on spending time with your bunk, these people will be your best friends for a lifetime.

I can't believe how quickly it went by,

Nikki