I’m sitting at the picnic table helping one of my campers with her lanyard, and another one of my campers sits next to me to tell me about her win in GaGa yesterday. My counselor comes up to me and gives me a hug, and asks me about how my night went. I look at my watch, and see that it is time to go to the morning meeting for group leaders. I say goodbye to my colleague and campers and head down the hill to talk about the plan for the day.

It’s funny that I say, “plan” for the day, because everything that happens at camp usually never goes as planned. That’s what I love so much about it. I’ve learned that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. I learned that when it rains, you dance in it, not dread it. Being at summer camp has taught me to make the best out of any bad situation, and learn valuable life lessons from these situations.

When I was nine years old, I remember I was a shy, chubby little girl with a ponytail in her hair that was too afraid to talk to anyone, or ask for help. The idea of even going up to a person and asking them to sign something for me made me want to cry. However, as I went through camp for several years, I learned how to communicate with people and open myself up to them. I work with genuine and amazing people that I have never been afraid of approaching.

In the real world, as I start my new job in a hospital, I’ve noticed that I’ve carried these skills I learned at camp along with me. I went from being this shy, quiet, scared little girl to being a beautiful, successful young woman. I’ve learned that you’re going to work with people you like, or don’t like. Whatever the situation is, I know how to make the best out of it. I know how to work as a team, as well as an individual.

When I was sixteen, I was hired by the camp to be a counselor. I was so nervous I wanted to pee myself! Thankfully, that whole summer being responsible for a large amount of kids not only made an impact on them, but it made an impact on me. I learned how to be a strong leader and took control of my actions. I learned how to be open, honest, and have the dignity and integrity to be an amazing person, and leader.

I wish I could work at camp for the rest of my life, but my calling is to be a nurse. I believe that everyone should have the chance to be at summer camp, whether it is as a camper, or an employee. You’ll never say, “I’m going to work”, you’ll say, “I’m going to camp”, because when you do something you love, it does not feel like work. Camp will always be a part of me wherever my life takes me, and it has always brought me the best memories in my life.