For us women who consider ourselves “outdoorsy,” it seems to be a common trend during those summers in between years of college to spend our weeks out in the sun working with children of our communities in those wonderful, crazy, fun-filled places called summer camp.
This summer was actually my first summer that I decided I was done with “corporate summer America,” and I (nervously) handed over my button-down polos in exchange for T-Shirts and khaki shorts. While I originally thought I was taking a huge pay-cut to spend ten weeks in the Pennsylvania woods, I ended up gaining so much more than I could have imagined.
In ten short weeks, I battled wild coyotes, formed a beautiful Chaco tan line, showered in some strange places, made amazing lifelong friendships, and so much more- all while spending time rain or shine with some pretty amazing kids from all over the east coast.
And what is amazing about this experience, is that I get to come back to school at CSU and see and talk with so many women who also spent their summer at places similar to my home for ten weeks! Women who spent their days teaching children archery, rock climbing, survival skills, and sleeping out under the stars.
We are united on campus with our “awkward” tan lines from our Chaco’s and watches, hearts full of a summertime of smore’s every week and bonfires on the regular. And we aren’t alone when we’re thinking, “wow… I really miss camp.”
The hardest part is coming back here, where we’re excited to be- starting another semester in Colorful Colorado. Excited to be taking new, challenging courses for our majors, excited to be back home with our friends, and excited to be making new friends. Yet, for some, we can’t help but feel a little uncomfortable in the enclosed buildings, after sleeping in tents and cabins. Or even finding ourselves reminiscing about the miles of trails we had free roam of, or waking up early every morning for breathtaking sunrises.
Welcome back for the fall Rams. And while I understand that it’s a little strange to be back in this college routine, with real schedules, and meetings, and coffee/study dates, and we miss those summer nights… Fear not! Winter Camp will be here in just a few more short weeks! I can’t wait to see you all on campus and exchange those camp stories that anyone who hasn’t done it, just can’t completely relate with. We’re going to rock this semester!