What role did you do at camp?

I attended Camp Laughing Waters (Pennsylvania) in 2017, 2019 & 2023. In my first year I was a general counsellor and archery instructor. Second year I was a general counsellor and a lifeguard. Third year I was a Division Manager.

Favourite summer camp memory?

I'm not sure I could pick a favourite camp memory, there's too many to choose from! Standing round the fire circle at camp fire every Friday singing Taps, driving back from a theme park and almost getting caught in a tornado, seeing campers go from tiny Brownies to CITs and counsellors, almost setting the kitchen shelter on fire making deep fried Oreos, the list would be endless. 

Where did you travel to after camp?

I travelled each year after camp, in 2017 I went to LA, Washington DC and NYC. in 2019 I branched out a bit further and did a Cali road trip! We went to Nashville first, then over to Vegas, San Diego, LA, Yosemite, Sequoia, the Grand Canyon and back to Vegas. Then finally in 2023 we went back to Nashville and added in a trip to the Smokey Mountains. Then headed west to San Fran, Yosemite, South Lake Tahoe, and Monterey. We also ended up seeing three black bears and two coyotes during our 2023 travels!

What impact did Camp America have on you? 

Camp has had a huge impact on my life. Most of my closest friends are people I met at camp. My friend Ria, who I met in 2017 (almost ten years ago!!) is still one of my favourite people ever. We're both from the UK but have travelled together in the US, UK, Spain and Australia! The biggest impact camp had on my life was for sure meeting my fiancé though! We met in 2019 and got together pretty much straight away. It's now been almost seven years, we've lived together for six years, have just come back from three years of travelling and living in Australia (which is where I proposed), and are now due to get married next year. I'm eternally grateful for all the people camp has given me and genuinely don't know where I'd be without them.

I attended camp across three years, all at very different stages of my life. Each time it has taught me something different and impacted the direction of my life in some way. It taught me confidence, adaptability, how to laugh at yourself instead of being embarrassed, to not take myself and life so seriously. It taught me empathy, patience, and allowed me to experience things I never would have had the chance to otherwise!

A piece of advice...

If I had a piece of advice for someone going into their first year of camp it'd be: you get out what you put in. Go into camp with an open mind and a positive attitude and it has the potential to be the best experience of your life!