Summer Camp
Writter by Erin Walsh

Camp as An
Opportunity:
Don't Miss It!

Summer will soon be here, and plans are already being made. A popular summer activity is sleep-away camp, which is a great opportunity to meet friends, try new things, and have fun. There are many different camps, all with different attributes. Some focus specifically on sports, artistic endeavors, or wilderness survival. However, the best camps, in my opinion, are the camps that can incorporate all aspects of summer fun. My camp experience took place at Lake Burton, where I was a part of the Pathfinder program of YMCA Camp High Harbor. There, I was able to choose the activities that would fill my day, therefore suiting my interests and fulfilling my desire to try new activities and branch out from my comfort zone in a safe, non-threatening environment.

Many kids would prefer to attend summer camp with a friend, but my advice would be to go alone. Being alone allows one to make new friends without being held back by current friends. Camp is a wonderful opportunity to meet lots of interesting and different people; people one may have never considered approaching while under the influence of a preexistent social order. While at camp, surrounded by friendly new people, kids can escape the “popularity standards” of school, and make any impression they want to.

There are many lessons to be learned from attending summer camp. Being on their own will give kids a sense of independence, while tackling new challenges will give them confidence. A few years ago, my sister took an interest in sailing. My family found a camp for her: all the way in California! However, she rose to the occasion, asserted her independence, and gained confidence in mastering a new skill. Now, she is one of the few in Gwinnett who can boast nautical experience.

Whether one is a first-timer or an experienced camper, most kids will feel a little, or sometimes a lot, of homesickness. Bringing photos from home and a favorite stuffed animal usually helps, and writing letters and sending packages is a great way to communicate. However, most of the time, kids will be too busy to think about homesickness at all!

Even though horror stories pertaining to camp are frequent and common, most are entirely untrue. Summer sleep-away camp was a great experience for me, my sister, and my friends. Though some camps are very different than others, they all provide a unique, fun, summer experience that one will never forget.