What made you choose to do Camp America?

My cousin attended a special needs camp a few years before I turned 18, and it became one of the most life-changing experiences for her. After that summer, she went on to become a nurse herself. Hearing her stories and seeing the impact camp had on her made something click for me, I knew I wanted to experience that same sense of purpose. I patiently waited until I turned 18 so I could apply right away.

Favourite camp memory?

My favourite memory from working as a general counsellor at my Girl Scout Camp was teaching one of my 7 year old campers how to swim. She was terrified of the water at first and would only dip her toes at the very edge of the lake. She was only at camp for one week, but every day we took small steps together, and I was able to help her feel a little more comfortable in the water.
By the end of the week, she wasn’t just standing in the lake, she swam all the way to the other side of the dock. As she made it across, the other campers, counsellors, and lifeguards clapped and cheered her on. The smile on her face was unforgettable, and seeing her so proud of herself made me smile just as much.
Later, she wrote a letter to her mum about learning how to swim and said she felt 'like a dolphin'. It was the sweetest thing, and it’s a moment that has stayed with me ever since. I will always remember it as my greatest achievement at camp.

A piece of advice...

I often tell anyone considering Camp America, or friends back home, that the experience teaches you far more about yourself than you ever expect and you don’t fully realise it until the summer ends and you return to everyday life.