What CAMP really means
365
That is the number of days I wait each year for camp. I spend a year waiting for one week to roll around. It might sound a little crazy waiting all year for one week, but this is always one the best weeks of the year. The week where all you hear is silly camp songs being sung. The sound of golf carts zipping thru the paths. Campers running and yelling, as happy as can be. Zip-line, rope course, swimming, basketball, sitting volleyball, fishing, canoeing, archery and so much more. This is what camp appears to be on the outside. But it really is so much more.
I started attending the Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Summer Youth Camp over 12 years ago. While it feels like a lifetime ago, this experience has played an integral part in changing my life. I first came to the camp like many others, as a camper. At the time I did not want to go. I begged my parents not to leave me alone for 3 days with people I had never met before. However, shortly after arriving I realized there was more to this camp. First off almost every single person was an amputee. Being that young it was such a cool experience seeing so many people just like me. It allowed me to be myself. Truly myself, with no fear of judgement from anyone. As the camp progressed and it became time to leave, I realized something else. That we were a family. Not by blood, but something almost as strong (and in some cases even stronger). We are amputees and people with limb-loss. Often we are singled out for being different. But at camp if you have all of your limbs you are different. It is one of the few places that allows us to be exactly who we are. No one will think twice seeing a line of various prosthetic arms and legs by the pool. Or a few guys tearing apart a wheelchair to realign it. It is all just another typical day at camp.
I have continued to return to camp except for 1-2 years where I was off pursuing other things. I honestly had such an incredible time being a camper and meeting so many outstanding people. Making new friends and catching up with old ones. Eventually though, everyone grows up. Maybe not your soul, but in age at least. After I became to old for camp, I realized that I couldn’t just stop going. I wasn’t about to forgot about camp after spending half of my life attending. So I took the next step, and became a counselor. And being a counselor for the last five years. I have gained a whole new perspective. First off I would like to apologize to my past counselors, especially the ones when I was 10-13. Being in charge of young campers is incredibly tiring. They not only wear you out, but try to go off on their own at every opportunity. However, seeing how each individual camper grows and changes throughout the camp is worth every minute. Saying goodbye on the last day and having them tell you it was the best week ever or that they aren’t afraid to show off their “leg” is the most rewarding part of this. I believe it is important to remember where you came from, and give back to the people/ groups that have helped you along the way. True being in a different role is still incredibly fun. I do get to drive a golf cart around after all 😉 but I also have the chance to make a difference with the campers just like my counselors did for me. I can show them that there are so many opportunities in life and they can accomplish just about anything if they try.
And that’s what camp really is about. Allowing the campers to be themselves and hopefully make a difference along the way.
Well until my next adventure,
TC