I'm going to sleep away camp for the first time and I have bad anxiety with meeting new people. Any Tips?
I think that anxiety is shared by many people! (Also, sorry for the delayed response, I have been gone for a while). It can be pretty unnerving sometimes to be forced to be around total strangers for a very long time. Before I went on my sleep away travel camp, I was pretty nervous too because I was gone for 2 weeks instead of just 1. I kept thinking, What if I don't get along with anyone? What if no one likes me? What if they're all annoying? It was definitely at the front of my mind. But you know what? I worried for nothing!
While I can't guarantee that you will bond with everyone in your unit/group, I can tell you that you will find at least one person that you will connect with, be it camper or counselor. You just have to remember to put yourself out there! Be outgoing! Talk to people. If you don't interact, it will make you feel left out. Start a conversation! Find someone you have something in common with. A lot of times when I go to camp, the counselors have us play icebreaker games that show things about ourselves. If you play those, don't be afraid to tell about yourself. Also, listen to others so you can find someone you would be interested in spending time with.
Also, remember that many of the other people will be in the same boat. Except for the occasional bffs that go to camp together, everyone else will be meeting a group of strangers as well. They will probably be nervous too!
I can't think of much else at the moment, but if anyone has any other tips, please feel free to message me and I will post it c:
