Notes from Camp: What I learned at Raintree Ranch

At 9 years old, I was one of the youngest campers headed for Raintree Ranch, an overnight YMCA camp in Julian. Approaching the sign-in desk with my parents and sister, I felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. This will be the longest I’ve ever been away from my family, I thought. I soon discovered that the busy, fun-filled week would leave no room for homesickness. I was about to embark on an adventure that would have a lasting impact.

We found my assigned cabin and I chose a top bunk, introducing myself to the girl unpacking her things below. Saying goodbye to my family, I already felt empowered by the independence of an overnight camp experience. As I settled in and got to know the girls in my cabin, I found new friends in my peers and counselors. At the very least, we had a common interest—horses. I was inspired to keep up with the older kids when it came to horseback riding skills. We learned about different gaits (walk, trot, canter, gallop), horse anatomy, how to tackup and get horses ready for riding, and how to groom, feed and take care of them. We also enjoyed traditional camp life—archery, swimming, songs, team games, skits and campfires. I left camp that summer with a newfound sense of independence and appreciation for teamwork, my peers and, of course, horses. It was awesome! I couldn’t wait to return the following year.

Now that I’m 22, I know that disconnecting from the outside world those two summers allowed me to connect with nature and animals in a different way. I learned that working hard yields results and rewards; all of those early mornings “tacking-up” the horses meant an opportunity for trail rides and lessons in the arena. Since the camp is designed for every learning level, kids advance at their own pace. We tried new things, improved existing skills and mastered others.

The experiences at Raintree Ranch taught me that breaking out of my shell reaped unexpected benefits. Living with people who were similar, yet so different, taught me to problem-solve, collaborate and discover how I fit into the new, unique dynamic. I wanted to emulate the leadership qualities that my camp counselors and peers demonstrated. Working with others and having responsibilities at camp laid the groundwork for the life experiences that followed.

In college I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Glasgow, Scotland, where many of the experiences were similar to camp life. I was able to fully immerse myself and build connections with students from Scotland, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, France and other parts of the world. Friendships that were formed with students from various backgrounds and cultures mirrored those made at camp—we bonded over similarities and learned from our differences.

Even my education and professional experience revolve around collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and fostering meaningful connections. I currently work as a Behavioral Health Associate at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. I’ve developed a passion for working with children and encouraging them to pursue new experiences, just as I did at summer camp as a child. v

Madelyn Hranek, who grew up in San Diego, is passionate about childhood development.