No matter what your summer plans consist of, a sleepaway camp is a must-do. So many wonderful things can come from going to a camp and once you go once, you’ll never want to stop going back. It doesn’t matter how old you are; you can go as a counselor or a camper.

I’ve gone to the same sleepaway camp in Vermont since I was seven years old, and I don’t plan on stopping now. At camp, I’ve made lifelong friends, I’ve learned so many life skills, and most importantly, I’ve learned how to be independent. The camp I go to has and will always have a special place in my heart, and is a very unusual, rare, special camp.

It’s old-fashioned, outdoorsy, and has kept traditions running for over 100 years. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, let me paint you a picture. The camp has no electricity except a few lights, we sleep in platform tents, and all buildings are small, open, and built from wood. Girls and boys who are as old as 15 and 16 come back as campers — not counselors — to shower in cold showers surrounded by bugs, sing ridiculous songs, and survive a month or two without a phone. This is because of the special environment that summer camp creates. The whole place becomes a family; you know everyone and you welcome newcomers into the family with open arms. There’s never time for sadness, or madness or grudges, because every second is full of laughter and fun. Teenagers come back as counselors each summer because they can’t leave; they can’t live without that wonderful feeling of knowing your friends will always be there for you, and new memories always await. So no matter what seems to get in the way, people from all around the world gather each summer in this tiny town in Vermont for summer camp. This camp is called Aloha and is part of the Aloha Foundation.

But everyone’s different, and one person might not enjoy what someone else does. So if the camp I go to (for some reason) doesn’t sound fun, there’s another camp out there for you. You’re never too old to be a part of the fun. And there’s nothing that can stop you from finding a camp you love. No matter how old you are or what you like, there is a place for you.

So get out there and do what you love, with people you love, in a place you love. That’s what summer camp is all about.