At some point in our lives, we search for a “home away from home.” One where we can feel comfortable and happy at when we are away from our original home. One where we can grow into better individuals. One where we develop lifelong friendships. For me, my “home away from home” has been the sleepaway camp in New Hampshire I’ve attended every summer since I was 14. Both of my parents attended sleepaway camp when they were growing up, and wanted my sister and I to have the wonderful experience they had. My uncles attended the same sleepaway camp I go to, which makes me a part of an amazing legacy.

I can confidently say that if my parents never sent me to sleepaway camp, I wouldn’t have grown into the person I am today. Before camp was a part of my life, I was very quiet and shy. After my first summer at camp, I transformed into a more confident, outgoing, and talkative person. Camp has allowed me to be myself without worrying about what others think or being judged. The friendships I’ve made from camp are very important to me. My camp friends come from all over the world, ranging from Boston to England. These friends are the first people I call when I am going through an amazing or hard time in my life. I know that they will always have my back and stay with me for the rest of my life. Every memory I make with my camp friends is the best, whether we are just talking and laughing around the campfire or going on trips outside of camp.

My years as a camper influenced me to become a C.I.T. (Counselor-in-Training) and Counselor, which have helped me develop essential leadership skills and learn life lessons that will benefit me in the “real world”. Working at camp has allowed me to give back to each camper, allowing them to have the best summer of their lives.The most rewarding experience is seeing a homesick camper who wanted to leave camp at the beginning of the summer develop genuine friendships and thank you for everything that you’ve done for them at the end of the summer. Being on staff has also influenced me to get involved at my college, and seek wonderful opportunities. Camp successfully transformed me into an independent person. Because of this, I was not afraid of the thought of attending college over 1,000 miles away from home. I also have developed the confidence to do things on my own without anyone’s approval.

Camp is truly an important part of my life, and I am so blessed to have it as “my home away from home”. The amazing support system I have and lessons I’ve learned because of it have changed me into the person I’ve always wanted to become before I started attending. Even though I am dreading the day I have to move on from camp and become an official adult, I am very confident that camp will always be a part of who I am and my experiences there will allow me to succeed in the future.

Here’s to you, sleepaway camp!