Camp Beginnings

In 1978 I was 10 years old and a 5th grader at St. Christopher Catholic School on the west side of Indianapolis, IN. I had just become best friends with the new girl, was navigating “new math” and playing in the spring kickball league. Life was pretty good as 5th grade goes, but life was about to become infintely better. In the spring of that year I would hear a presentation that would ultimately guide the rest of my life. 

Our class among others were ushered to the cafeteria where a slide projector was set up next to two smiling people. These folks were at school to tell us about summer camp. They showed us a slide show filled with smiles of campers from summer camp. The pictures included images of the swimming pool, the horses and various other activities.

My new best friend and decided we had to find a way to get to camp and we did. Our parents definlty need convincing to send us to camp but they eventually caved and we had an amazing first expierence at camp. We fell in love with summer camp and went back year after year, sometimes twice in one summer. Once we were too old to be campers we became Counselors in Training.

My personal favorite things about camp were my counselors--the young adults who cared for me, made me laugh, and showed me that it was ok to be myself. I loved campfire and singing the folk songs that painted a world of love and harmony. I loved summer camp with all my heart and learned long standing life lessons. I never wanted to leave.

At the young age of 17, my dream of being a camp counselor came true. I planned to work as many summers as I could.  

Forty plus years have passed since that school visit and summer camp continues to provide

Camp is a place where positive change this truly happens. Over 1800 kids this summer will either begin or continue their relationship with camp. They will run, play, laugh, sing, dance, and know the goodness of our summer camp through the hands of camp counselors. They will also experience positive peer and adult relationships without the distractions of technology. They will experience true wholesome fun. They will get to be kids in a world that demands more and more of them each day. 

I know this to be true; from 10 year old camper to 16 year old Counselor in Training to Counselor to Co-Director to the “mama” of the “camp family” I’ve seen the story of camp play out again and again.  I have seen campers become counselors; counselors become our camp leaders and then ultimately leave camp for careers as teachers, doctors, nurses, etc. AND they become parents who believe in camp often sending their children to camp. They move out into the world and are able to share the love of camp making the world a better place. 

When I was that 10 year old girl at St. Christopher’s School I had no idea what camp would do for me or what I had to give to camp. I now know its significance. Not just for me but for so many others. I’d like to go back in time and meet 10 year old me so I could tell her to hold on for an amazing ride! I’d tell her to savor it, savor it all, even the hard stuff because you will grow and you will be a part of impacting others to grow and your life will be all the better for the experience. 

Peace,

Angi