If you didn’t know, I have been a camp counselor for the past 2 months! I have experienced more than I ever thought possible. Even though there were some bumps in the road, I had a great time this summer. Here are some random posts that I wrote while I was there—
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Dear Kresge Lodge,
Thank you for being my home during my first year at summer camp. And what an amazing 2 months it has been. Full of growth and learning, experiencing new things and bonding with both campers and my fellow counselors. Kresge, I want to thank you for loving me so well. Thank you for comforting me during my sad moments and celebrating with me after my great days. Thank you for a warm bed and making me smile each night I close my eyes. Thank you for always having a light to guide me home after my late night TOs. Thank you for teaching me the meaning of responsibility and time management (but also sleeping in for as long as I possibly could).
Thank you for always having a cozy corner that I can call my own for the week.
Kresge provided a safe place that gave me joy that I, in turn, shared with my campers and it gave me the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives.. It was hard leaving it for the last time knowing I wasn’t going to move back in a few days later. I’m going to miss you, Kresge!
If you didn’t already know, this is my first time at summer camp. But it’s not my first time at camp, actually it was 9 years ago in April. So just as much as the campers learned for their first time at camp, they weren’t alone- I was learning all the time too.
So, Even after years of staying here at camp and over 13 visits, 6 weeks at summer camp is barely enough time to appreciate all Storer has to offer and learn all the amazing traditions that take place here. I really wish I could have done so much more while I was there.
I couldn’t think of anything else to say but Thank you.
I will miss calling these beautiful 1,280 acres my home. Thank you for changing my life, Storer from the second I stepped onto property for the first time, 9 years ago. You mean the world to me and I’m so proud that I grew up as ‘the girl who never stopped talking about camp’. From the chants and songs, to the evening program traditions and meeting people from across the world and every little thing in between, I appreciate you very much Storer.
This summer I learned honestly more than I thought I would. One of the things I learned was it’s healthy to put everything behind for a bit and just go. I learned that sometimes you just need to get out, get out of your comfort zone, out of your city, out of the constant memories you cry over and try something new- something you’ll never forget and I promise that I will never forget my time at camp this summer.
I also learned that new friends, fresh air and sunshine can keep us going no matter what even when things get tough. (And a quick call home can solve just about anything if those don’t work!) And I swear that is the best medicine in the whole world.
Sometimes you prepare for camp for 7 months and get there and have no clue what you’re getting into. You’re immediately living 24/7 with these people that you just met and it’s actual insanity but super fun. We like to call it ‘organized chaos’.
It was amazing to go back to camp where I recently have spend a lot of my time. I saw myself in my little 7, 8 and 9 year olds for the week- they were there with their sweaty faces and greasy hair and always so much enthusiasm and dance parties and giggles.
I also saw myself in my fellow counselors with no makeup on, exhausted eyes, no voice but wouldn’t be anywhere else faces.
I also wouldn’t want to spend my 19th Birthday last year and my 20th birthday this year, anywhere else!
As I pulled out of the gates for the last time and ended my first summer camp season, I just want to say that you're a treasure, camp, and I want you to know that. When I closed my eyes on my very last night maybe ever staying there, I knew I made a great decision to spend my summer with you.
The staff really turned into family and were always there when I needed someone.
There were points during the week when I didn’t have signal to load my social media and I felt so unconnected from the real world- which is so unlike me. There were some nights when I just laughed harder than I ever had before, some nights when I sat back and enjoyed the people and scenery around me, some nights I watched crazy work outs and makeshift soccer games inside, some nights when I never wanted to leave.
Also the camp bubble is so extreme; immediately you have hardly any phone signal, you live out of a suitcase on a bunk bed for 2 months, you don’t know what’s going on in the outside world, you’re practically working 24 hours a day, and time passes so much differently there. There were moments when I felt so trapped there, I love camp always have but staying for 6 days in a row and not being able to leave property was extremely hard for me. I am a very adventurous person and I couldn’t even go see the city I was living near for the summer. Sometimes you prepare for camp for 7 months and get a month into it and your whole cabin gets a lice scare and you have to go home for 5 days and you cry so hard because you don’t want to leave in the middle of the session (or ever) and when you get home, all of your stuff has to be in garbage bags outside and your mom has to dig through your hair. it’s a weird experience. (thankfully I didn’t have it!) At most points during camp this summer, I felt like I couldn’t breathe and had to keep reminding myself to. There were moments when I got yelled at and didn’t think I could take another step. But I did, I got up and kept walking.
But I am very glad I made it through this summer and it feels great to be home!
But honestly, How can you not fall in love with the evening sun shining down on you and the gentle breeze blowing through your hair. If every moment could be like this, I’d love it. On the very last night, myself and a group of staff members took a pontoon ride and tied up together out on the lake. We watched THE most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen in my entire life. And I promise I’m not just saying it. The whole sky was shades of pink and orange and it was reflecting off the water. We were all amazed. I’m so glad I got to experience that on our last night all together!
You know that you’re only making a very small amount of money, but haters gonna hate, you’ve got the best job in the world. People on the outside just don’t understand what it means to spend your summer in the magic that is camp. They don’t understand that you can in fact survive on animal crackers, tomatoes and cranberry juice and that crazy tan lines and greasy hair can be sort of cool. And they’ll never experience the absolute pride of losing your voice after yelling your cabin’s country name during an all camp olympics game, or will they have a story as to why your hands were stained purple for days. People on the outside just don’t get it. But it’s okay. Because you get it, and really, that’s all that matters.
I hope the moments that we had will turn into stories that we will be proud to tell for the rest of our lives. I have no idea what will happen in my future, Storer, but this summer, these people and these experiences are some I will never forget.
So thank you for letting me linger a little longer (even as an adult) and until we meet again, just know you’ll always be in my heart.
