Sorry for those who don’t want to listen.

I read an article today called The Camp Counselor vs. The Intern, that mentioned how if you spent a summer making coffee at Google, it’s not necessarily going to be beneficial to you in “the real world” or finding a job. 

This summer in particular I watched numerous friends search and obtain internships in their future desired fields, hoping to gain experience for “the real world”. I sat back and watched knowing that I would return to my beloved camp, and camp family for a 4th summer. 

This also gave me time to reflect over what I have learned over my past few years in my coveted postion. Besides archery, songs, games, cooking (one of my favorite perks is yes, I learned how to cook at camp, even if it was over an open fire.) fire building, knots, and all the other typical camp activities I have learned life lessons one can learn no where else. I’ve learned how to brighten a child’s day, because they have a tough life and camp is there only escape for the summer. I have learned to be a role model, a friend, a teacher, a leader, I have been a rock and a friend for campers who need confidence in awkward 8 and 9 year-old ages,  confronting body fear, sexuality and eating disrders. Most of all I have learned  how to truly be myself and not to let anybody change that.

And as a write this my eyes are watering, as they do every summer when it comes to saying good bye to a summer family, that includes friendships that span miles across the globe, and never hinder. 

I am lucky enough to experience and learn all of this, things I would never get out of an internship, and I will never regret my choice.