Ever since I was eight years old, I have attended Camp Modin, a Jewish sleepaway camp hidden amongst the tall pine trees of Belgrade, Maine. A summer not spent there is one I can’t even remember. Over time, Modin has become a personal haven for me, shaping me into the person I am today. As I have officially experienced my 8th and second-to-final summer at Modin, I find myself reflecting on how much I have learned throughout my camp experience – not just about the environment around me, but also about myself and what it means to grow up and begin my journey into adulthood.
One of the most important lessons I have been taught throughout my eight summers at Camp Modin is how to build strong relationships and branch out. When I first arrived at camp at the age of eight, I knew nobody in my bunk. Up until that point, my experiences with making friends had been significantly limited to the relationships my parents had orchestrated for me. When I stepped off that yellow school bus for the first time and entered the unfamiliar place I would soon know as home, I was terrified. I was thrown into a situation where I had to put myself out there and form my own connections. It wasn’t easy finding and building friendships, but I am extremely grateful that I can call some of my camp friends among the most meaningful friendships I have.
For many parents, sending their child off to camp at a young age without knowing who will be there or if it will be the best environment for their child is a significant leap of faith; however, it is the best leap to take. Camp has taught me to be vulnerable and build confidence in myself.
Another lesson camp has taught me is to embrace discomfort. Living with 30 girls under one roof means that privacy is a rare privilege. From being forced to share bunk beds to sharing two bathroom sinks, I learned to be patient and compromise in ways my eight-year-old self was unaccustomed to doing. While camping and sleeping in tents is still not one of my favorite activities, I’ve built strength that I didn’t even know I had. Being pushed to live in uncomfortable situations at camp has helped me to grow and thrive in all walks of life.
One of the last and final skills I have gained throughout my summers at Camp Modin has been effective communication. Living with girls going through different stages of their lives is not always smooth sailing. While this was frustrating at times, especially when faced with conflict and tension, it has also enabled me to express my feelings effectively and have direct and impactful conversations with others. From conflicts and confrontations to regular conversations, my ability to connect with others successfully has been strengthened by my camp experience and continues to grow as my summers progress. While my summers at camp are coming to a close, a skill as impactful as communication will stick with me for the rest of my life.
As I approach my final summer as a camper, looking back on the skills and lessons I have been taught throughout my summers at Camp Modin fills me with a sense of nostalgia as my time to leave draws near. Looking back, my eight-year-old self would have been lost in a spiral if I had known how important camp would become to me and how much it would impact my life. While I dread leaving the place that has taught me so much and helped me grow immensely as a person, I am also excited to implement these skills in my future and take a piece of camp with me for the rest of my life. Everyone who has the opportunity to go to camp should; it’s a place where memories are made, relationships are built and lives are changed forever.
