What I expected to be six days of stress and discomfort at summer camp turned into an unforgettable journey of new experiences and self-discovery. Before attending, I found myself caught between excitement and hesitation about how I truly felt about this new experience. I didn‘t want to go because of my fear of the camp’s unfamiliar environment. I was worried about not being able to enjoy my time there, including concerns about sleep, showers, and meals. Additionally, I was stressed that I wouldn‘t be able to access my devices for connection with others, knowing that the camp would last six days without the comfort of technology I had grown accustomed to.

Once I arrived at camp, most of my worries seemed to disappear as I looked around the campsite, familiarizing myself with the place I would be living in and meeting the friends I would be with for the next six days. I felt happy because I began to feel at home in the environment by exploring the camp and navigating through my daily routine. The physical challenges I had anticipated became a reality. For example, sleeping at night was difficult because it was extremely cold, and there was a tear in the middle of the cot. Not being able to use a phone meant I couldn’t connect with people outside the camp and couldn‘t look at social media at all. The showers were often full at night, and sometimes I wasn’t able to shower, adding to the discomfort of not being able to sleep well and shower every night while our phones were taken away until the end of camp.

Despite these discomforts, I enjoyed participating in rejuvenating activities that were offered, like riding ATVs. Everything about the camp was not as dreadful as I had worried it would be because, in the grand scheme of things, my worries were negligible and unfounded. During the day, I learned to become more comfortable and adapt to my surroundings by constantly socializing with others so that I didn‘t feel awkward in my environment. After the camp, I was exhausted and ready to go back home, but I gained invaluable insights from the experience. I learned that there are many ways to live your life beyond wasting time on the internet. I discovered new things about communication, geology, and ATVs, as well as how citizenship works. I realized how thrilling it is to try new activities, like learning to ride an ATV. Throughout the camp, I understood that connecting with others and constantly socializing with friends is an important part of life and a better way to keep yourself entertained than scrolling through the internet. The experience brought out my courage to try new things, even when I initially viewed them in a negative light.

From this camp, I learned that challenges in life are opportunities to improve or try something different. This summer camp experience taught me that stepping outside my comfort zone, despite initial fears and physical discomfort, can lead to meaningful personal growth and new perspectives on how to live a fulfilling life.

<Andrew Hwang 서니힐스 고교 11학년>