What role did you do at camp?

In 2022 I worked at a Girl Scout camp in Virginia, split across three different sites: Camp Skimino in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Camp Apasus and Camp Outback in Chesapeake, Virginia. I worked as a General Camp Counsellor, starting as an overnight counsellor for the first four weeks and then moving to a daytime-only counsellor for the final four weeks. We had a new group of kids each week and I had the opportunity to work across every age group.

Favourite summer camp memory?

My favourite memory from camp was when the whole camp was playing field games and there was the most beautiful sunset across the entire sky. Everyone was laughing, it was warm, there were no bugs, and it just felt perfect. Another memory is all the camp songs and dance routines I learnt across the summer, which we performed at numerous camp fires throughout the week, which made me feel like I was in a movie. Outside of camp, I also made so many memories exploring Virginia on my days off - shopping trips, going to the cinema, water lantern festival, canoeing, and thrifting.

Where did you travel to after camp?

After camp, I travelled around the U.S. for three weeks. I went to Washington DC, Philadelphia, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Boston, other parts of New England, Maine, and New York. I travelled with a girl I met at camp and we had the best time exploring - we’re still friends to this day. America felt so accessible by public transport and we got buses and trains everywhere, which made it even more fun and easy to explore.

Camp was my first experience travelling abroad alone and it gave me so much confidence. It inspired me to want to travel everywhere. Since Camp America, I’ve au paired in Europe and done Camp Canada, and I’ve made friends I still see to this day. It’s honestly the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m so grateful I pushed myself out of my comfort zone because it’s made me who I am today.

What did summer camp teach you?

Camp has given me so many benefits beyond just being fun. I developed skills in communication, leadership and teamwork that I took into university. It also helped me when applying for my dietetics Master’s course as I was able to discuss the wide range of skills I developed as a result of the experience. Also, it has supported me in my subsequent applications to work abroad as I can confidently talk about the experience in interviews and potential employees love discussing my camp experiences. 

A piece of advice...

My advice for anyone going into their first summer would be: go scared, go alone if you have to, and just put yourself out there. Everyone is in the same boat and you will make lifelong friends. Do everything you possibly can because it will go so much faster than you think.