Camp. Now that’s a word that has a bunch of different meanings. To some, it means going camping out in the woods. To others, it means making a tent out of a sheet in the living room and watching discovery channel. To others, it means heading up to the cottage. And to still others, it means summer camp. A week of late nights, early mornings, different activities, fried food, and good friends.
Let me give you a little bit of background on my camp experience. Every year since grade five, I have gone for a week to summer camp. It was always an adventure that gave me new friends, skills, and memories. However, two days ago I got back from the most life changing experience, a month long leadership program at the Muskoka Woods summer camp. If I wrote down everything that happened in that short month, I could fill a book. But to give you an idea, here is a short list of some of the activities we did:
1. A four day canoe trip in Algonquin where we tented, canoed, portaged, and made food and fires for the team.
2. Paint-balling
3. Ropes activities such as a zip-line and giant swing
4. leading games and activities for the younger campers
5. co counselling a cabin
6. Amazing evening programs and activities
7. And most importantly, spending time with counsellors and friends to gain long lasting friendships.
At the end of the month, I had tried more new activities and skills than I ever had in my life, and had gained a confidence that I didn’t know I possessed. I gained friends that I became closer to than I ever would have guessed, and we became a family who grew in character together.
Now I can’t even imagine what my life would have been like had I not gone to camp. I would not have grown in my faith as much as I did, and I would definitely not have had friends I gained, nor the newfound courage.
Some of the lessons I learned during my time in this program are:
A leader is someone who looks at the world and says, ‘it doesn’t have to be this way,’ and does something about it.
Human nature is to just survive, but a leader is someone who doesn’t just survive, but also exceeds standards.
A game-changer is someone who alters another’s past, perspective, or possibilities through their interactions with them. ~Orlando Bowen~
And the list goes on. I have completely different perspectives and goals about many areas in life, including family, school, work, social life, etc. Perspectives that have been changed for the better. I couldn’t have spent my month any way better.
To my counsellors, thank you for inspiring me to be the best that I can be.
To my friends, thank you for being so supportive as we grew together in friendship and character.
To Muskoka Woods. Thanks for the amazing month, and I’ll see you next summer!
Over and out,
Lara