What Does Going to Camp Feel Like?

The anticipation builds for weeks before opening day. Going over the supplies list again and again. Waves of excitement ebb into nerves and flow back into excitement.

Finally, the first day arrives and the adventure begins.

BY TORY CABOT

Questions flood your child’s mind: Will I like the kids in my group? Will they like me? What are the counselors going to be like? Are the activities going to be fun? Whether you’re in a car or taking the bus, the drive leads farther into the woods and ends with the entrance to camp. Counselors and staff are standing there waving, yelling, clanging pots and pans together, holding signs and most of all, smiling. This is the best welcome ever! No wonder the nervous feelings are subsiding.

Checked in, group assigned, now on to meeting lots of new people. It’s a whirlwind of names, hometowns, hobbies, interests, feelings. The nerves come back for a moment. How can I remember all of this new info? Then I walk toward the first all-camp meeting with my group. How can I not start smiling when all of these faces around me are lighting up and making me feel welcome?! The directors and counselors introduce themselves, discuss the camp rules, explain the plan for the rest of the day and send campers on their way. Waterfront, games, group time, ropes course, music, dodgeball ... this is amazing! And overwhelming. Every counselor and adult seems super friendly, so that’s a good sign.

Lunch time! Oh no, being a vegetarian will probably be a problem. Maybe there won’t be much to eat. Nerves again ... until ... wow, there are options! Not just for me, but for kids with lots of different food needs. The kitchen staff is as warm as their equipment, and the food choices are great. If only school could be like this.

After the meal, it’s group time. I’m already starting to get to know people, making connections and having LOTS of laughs. Why is it so much easier to make friends here than at school? Daily schedules are distributed, and we’re all comparing activities. You have arts and crafts second period? I have it third! We have horseback riding at the same time. Do you have basketball? I want to try that! Once we try the activities, we can change if we want to.

Lots of fun things to do. Helpful, friendly, caring, thoughtful, funny and smart counselors. A beautiful setting, with a hidden pocket of pine trees and wildflowers. Flowing water, melty ice pops, silly jokes, fun activities. Feelings that are often not present during the school year are here: feeling included, feeling heard, feeling safe, feeling adventurous, feeling creative, feeling free, feeling true friendship.

Summer camp allows you to be who you want to be. Most importantly, it allows you to be yourself.

Tory Cabot was a camper at Camp Birch Hill in New Durham for two years. She enjoyed it so much that she returned as a counselor for two years while in college. Years later, after teaching middle school for a few years outside Boston, she returned as a director and spent another wonderful two summers at CBH. She currently lives in Somerville , Mass., with her fiancé and cat, and teaches sixth grade ELA.