By Rebecca Lewis
After the first week of being at Tamarack Camps last summer, I knew I would be returning this year. I was welcomed into a family with outstretched arms, and I finally found somewhere where I could wholly be myself, and people loved me for it. As I’m writing this, I know I sound so cliché, but the truth of the matter is that my summer at Tamarack changed me as a person. I learnt so much about myself, and I am so much better for it. One moment which I believe sums up my experience was something that happened on my second day. I told a senior staff I was cold at night, as I didn’t have a sleeping bag. He said he would sort it, and if I’m honest, he seemed unengaged, and I thought I would just have to suck up the cold. My camp has over 200 staff, yet, he went to the trouble of not only finding me a sleeping bag, but figuring out which cabin, and then which bed was mine, and put it on my bed without me knowing, with a pillow too, to make sure I felt at home and comfortable. That is camp summed up.
This year, I have been invited back to work as the Supervisor of Theatre and Dance. I feel so honoured that my camp trusts me with such a position, and I know I will face many challenges ahead, but I can’t wait to start my new Tamarack journey, and have another indescribable summer. If you are lucky enough to be going to camp this summer, take in every single moment, throw yourself into everything, and be yourself. These memories are going to stay with you for a long time. Make it count.
You can take a read of Rebecca’s poem about her first summer at camp here.