Things I Know Because of CRL

My school takes a class trip every year. Last year, in 6th grade, we went to Charleston, South Carolina. Some kids were nervous because they had never been away from home without their parents. They were worried they would be homesick. They were worried that they wouldn’t have fun and would want to go home. It was only three days!

I have a confidence other kids don’t have because I’ve been going to Camp Riva Lake since I was 7 years old. I go to camp for a month now, but when I was 7, I went for just one week. Going to camp has taught me a lot. I know things that other 12 year olds don’t know. I know I can be away from my parents and be okay. I know that I’ll get a little homesick when I get tired and when it’s bedtime, but when I wake up the next morning, I’ll be over it and ready for a new day. I know I can live in a group of girls that I don’t know very well at first. I know that some will get on my nerves, and others will become my good friends. I know that I can live with all of them and still have fun. I know that some will wake up cheerful and some wake up grouchy. Some will go to the bathroom with you in the middle of the night, and others will roll over and go back to sleep. Some take long showers with soap and some do a quick rinse. Some keep their stuff on their shelves, and some spread their stuff out and can never find their shoes. I know that I’ll make some mistakes, like when I sent all my blue jeans to the laundry and didn’t have any for horseback riding, but that I’ll have friends who will help me out. I know that I’ll need to ask for help sometimes, and there will be trusted adults who will help me.

This year, our class is going to Disney. I’m excited, and I’m thankful that camp has prepared me for this trip. I know that I’ll have a blast most of the time, but that there will be times that will be challenging. I know that both the good and the not-so-good are part of the experience and that I’ll be okay. Because of Camp Riva Lake, I’m confident to handle whatever comes my way.