06.21.25: My Experience at Camp CAMP
My camper and I
This past week, I had an incredible opportunity to volunteer at Camp CAMP, a week-long sleepaway summer camp for special needs campers in Centerpoint, Texas. As a volunteer, I spent one on one time caring for and getting to know my camper to help maximize their experience! Today, I want to share my experience and how much I grew from this amazing week.
Getting to know my camper was honestly one of the most incredible experiences of my life. While the week was definitely overwhelming at times, I learned so much about patience, empathy, and what really matters in life. But one thing that really stuck with me was realizing how impatient I get about things in my daily life that some people at this camp don't even have the privilege of doing. My camper was pretty independent and able to do everything on their own. But talking with other counselors who were in their third year really opened my eyes. One counselor told me about their camper who had very limited mobility, which meant that when simple as showering or getting dressed, they did not have complete autonomy. It hit me how much I take for granted my ability to just put on clothes in the morning or hop in the shower whenever I want.
I also felt a sense of purpose while I was there. The world is a cruel place and CAMP was able to make the campers feel like they could do anything because each activity was adapted towards their needs. For example, there was a swing place but there was also a place where wheelchair users could set their chair on the swing and still use it! I had also heard about stories in which memory books, books that us counselors would create about their campers time spent at camp, were sometimes set at camper funerals and ashes were spread at the camp site because this was such a special place in which they were loved no matter what their ability set. Special needs individuals are often mistreated and bullied outside of CAMP.
I genuinely had the best time ever though. Even during breaks I would spend time with the campers because they were so kind and I loved the conversations I used to have. My camper (picture above) and I used to have a blast singing Let it Go, Into the Unknown, and Taylor Swift at the pool and moments like that will stay with me forever. 💕
