Stanley Park Bike Path [Vancouver, B.C.] Lomo LC-A w/Kodak EPT160T slide film, cross-processed

25 Random Things, Continued:

14) Which brings me to one of the best influences ever in my life: Catholic Youth Organization Summer Camps. As a kid I went to camp every summer (Camp Cabrini and Camp Don Bosco), and would spend the rest of my year singing camp songs and dreaming of summer camp. In 1988, I joined the staff at Camp Don Bosco, which was the beginning of 6 years as a camp staff member that would forever shape who I am. I worked as a riding instructor ("Wrangler") at Camp Don Bosco, a lifeguard at Camp Hamilton (the summer it opened), a trip leader on Nanamake Expeditions (hiking, biking, and canoeing), and wore a variety of hats at Camp Gallagher. Working at camp plunged me into a world of everything that matters to me as a human: community, the outdoors, independence and interdependence, spirituality in everything (and not necessarily in church), silliness and laughter, social justice, communication, helping others, and finding meaning and joy all around me. The most influential group of friends I have ever had I met working at summer camp. (Just yesterday I found the CYO Summer Camps Facebook group, and have been gleefully reuniting with those old friends in the past 24 hours, such joy!)

Post a comment