There are many different types of camp- church camp, a scholarly camp, artistic camps, you name it! But that does not mean that they require different types of approaches. You can have a great week if you put the effort into it.
So, I have now been to two weeks of camps and have had two totally different experiences. One week I can say that it was not an enjoyable time at all, but this last one was possibly one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. I have given you the way to have an absolutely terrible week of camp. Now I would like to share with you the ways to have a fabulous week of camp!
Here we go again! 5 ways to have a great week of camp!
- Don’t Go With People You Know
Now this may seem like a weird one, but I have seen the problems of being “cooped up” together for a whole week. It is really not healthy for relationships. The beautiful things about friends is that you can tell them to leave for a while if they have been at your house for several days because they have a home to go to. That cannot happen when you are at a camp that can be over 3 hours away.
Because you know that you are probably not going to know anyone, you are able to find people that you work well with and you find people that you want to get to know better! You gain amazing friends and have the time of your life!
2. Go to Something You Enjoy
The camp I just came from was one on Entrepreneurship. My career goal is to be a barn manager, but that could be me starting my own business or working for someone. I am very passionate about business and all of its aspects. This camp was a challenge to make your own business in a week and pitch it before a panel of judges. (yes, kind of like shark tank) It was such a learning experience and the great thing was everyone else there was interested in learning about business as well!
When everyone around you is putting in the blood, sweat, and tears that you are putting into your team’s project, it creates an encouraging, friendly, empathetic atmosphere that is hard to find.
There was one night that we were all up until 10:00 working on our projects when the other nights we would only work on the projects til about 7 or 8. We were all to our breaking point, but I do not think anyone would have traded any of it for anything. All of the hard work and the fun were the small parts that made the whole week a success.
3. Be Around People that Genuinely Like Being Around You
This kind of an extension of the first point, but I still think it is important.
Being around people that do not know you really helps you find people that truly enjoy being around you. They choose to be around you because they like being with you over the other people that are there. It is something that gives you such a feeling of joy.
Not only that, but make an effort to be a likable person.
If you never talk to anyone and act like there are other places you would rather be, of course no one is going to talk to you and enjoy being around you. Be open with how unique you are. I am just about as quirky as they come, but let’s be honest. Everyone else is as weird as I am! That is what makes everything fun!
4. Be supportive to Everyone Around You
I think there is something to be said about being happy for everyone around you. It does not matter what is happening at the camp, or within the people within the camp. Being supportive and happy for everyone is the thing that helps everyone have a good time.
Where the camp I just came back from was a competition, there was going to be one team that won scholarships at the end of the week. It is really hard to keep a feeling of comradery going because everyone wants to win.
But it was amazing how well everyone supported everyone’s ideas and when we were going up for our presentations, we wished everyone good luck going in and everyone was telling us there was nothing to worry about. There was a guy that just went around the whole day giving everyone fist bumps and high-fives to encourage everyone. I cannot tell you how lucky I was to be with the group of people I was with for a whole week.
5. Be Open to Try New Things
One of the first things that I saw on the itinerary for the week was BALLROOM DANCING! If anyone knows me, my form of fashion is blue jeans and a t-shirt and my preferred form of dancing is riding my horses. For me to wear heels, wear a fitted skirt, and dance is practically unheard of.
But I took the jump and I tried it! And I LOVED IT! I was not a natural by any means, but I did enjoy it! I did not have to have a guy ask me to dance, because I was able to dance with one of my friends, so that made it better! We were both uncoordinated, but we were able to goof off and that just made the whole experience one I will never forget. Goodness knows I am not one that will likely go ballroom dancing again!
I am not going to lie and say that it was perfect because it most certainly was not. There were two days where we did not see the light of day because we were in seminars all day for two days. I do believe we all lost sanity. And there was one day that we were all craving real food and not chips so much that we were excited over the sight of mashed potatoes. It makes me laugh just thinking about it.
But the effort you put into having a great week really shows. You will have the time of your life and meet absolutely amazing people!
Comm Equestrian 