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Because of Girl Scout Camp…Part 3
This week’s “Because of Girl Scout Camp” entry is written by Rebecca Kosten “Scribble”- a senior at Arapahoe High School; in summer 2013 she worked on Crew Staff; and in summer 2014 will be a Cabin Counselor.
Because of Girl Scout Camp…
Camp is a place of belonging without condition, kindness without limit, and new opportunities without fear. And because of camp I believe in the power of small positive actions to make the world a better place.
I have been a camper at Tomahawk Ranch for 10 years, throughout which I grew up and grew closer to my home away from home and eventually became a counselor as well. Over the years, I learned how to ride a horse, shoot a bow and arrow, and discover treasures in nature, but my most important lessons were in how to believe in myself, how to care for others, and how to make a difference in the world.
As I look back on my years at camp it is not the activities or the opportunities that stand out the most — it is the way in which each activity and each moment made a difference.
I remember the first time I went on a hike at camp. I was jumping with excitement. I remembered hikes with my family when I had learned about the plants or the rocks or the creatures around me. I loved these hikes and I was sure that this would be just as exciting. As we set out, I chattered away noisily about the nature around me. At every stop I gulped water so quickly that some inevitably spilled and ran all over my face. I was eager to see the nature around me, to discover some previously unknown flower.
As we got closer to the top of the hike, though, I began to see how much something else mattered. As my excitement was absorbed by the mountain trail, I found that we had brought something with us as important as nature around us. We had brought teamwork and caring with us too. It was a magnificent adventure into the outdoors, but what I remember most is the friendship and the courage I found on that hike. It was a hike, yes, but it also planted seeds of courage, caring, and empathy.
Over time I realized how much each moment at camp made a difference. Time and time again I found that seemingly insignificant moments impacted me greatly. I can’t describe camp in a list of years, activities, or lessons learned because, to me, camp is the little actions that have made me the person I am today.
I strive to take camp’s strength, kindness, and acceptance with me everywhere I go. It’s not always easy, but if camp had taught me anything it’s that it will be worth it.
From these memories, I draw the strength to continue believing, to continue growing, and to continue giving. Because of camp I know that every moment is special, that every person is unique, and that every action we take makes more of a difference than we can possibly know.