Name: Cathy
Years as camper: none
Years as staff: 2007-2012
Positions: Counselor (2007-09), Co-coordinator of Camp
Bethesda (2010-12)
Date written: December 8, 2012
I applied to work at camp Sequanota when I was 19 years old. My journey started out that summer because I had
to fulfill a pre-student teaching requirement of 80 hours with children. While I knew there were other ways of
fulfilling those hours for some reason I felt that Sequanota was the
answer. From June to August I spent
those required hours and several hundred more with counselors that became friends
and campers that would become counselors several years later. I never thought that an educational
obligation would transform my life into what it is today. The summer of 2007 offered many experiences for
me as I experienced hundreds of firsts.
It was the first time I ever “performed” in campfire. It was the first time I ever had to plan a
worship service. It was the first time I
ever lead a bible study. It was the first
time I felt the responsibility of having the lives of children in my
hands.
Every summer I left feeling
fulfilled but uncertain if I would come back the next summer. I feel more than blessed that I have been
able to be a part of summer programming for the past six summers. At the end of every summer I headed back to college
or to teaching. This is my third year of
teaching and I am currently teaching at a high-poverty charter school in northern
North Carolina. Every single day I am
faced with new challenges and I am constantly reminded of my experiences at
Sequanota. I truly believe I would not
be able to overcome as many obstacles if I hadn’t been put in an environment such
as Sequanota. During my first summer as
I completed all of those “firsts” I overcame a lot of my fears. I went from refusing to speak in front of my
peers in middle school to speaking in front of hundreds at a worship service at
Sequanota to speaking in front of hundreds in a high school setting. I shudder to think of where I would be if it
weren’t for the courage I gained at Sequanota.
I also wonder where I would be without the lifelong friends I made
there. I am beyond thankful when I
consider how many positive relationships I have made at camp and how many amazing
counselors are just a phone call away. The
emotional support that has been given to me in the last three years of being
hundreds of miles from the place I still call home has been beyond incredible. The texts, phone calls, facebook messages,
and visits have encouraged me stay in contact with the remarkable family that
is Sequanota.
Just a few weeks ago I asked
members of the Sequanota family to help fund a class set of books for my students. Within three hours of messaging them I had a
full set of A Raisin in the Sun paid for through DonorsChoose.org. My students are currently engaged in class
and excited about what they are learning as we discuss the social issues of the
time and analyze a form of literature they have never been exposed to before. Once again, another reminder of just how powerful
Sequanota is.
As the season of giving is upon us
I am reminded of how blessed I am because of Sequanota. I know that many of you feel the same and I
would love for you to share your story right here. I enjoy listening to camp anecdotes as well as
hearing about where members of our family are today. Many of us are truly passionate about what we
are doing and I believe we can help each other along the way. Please email me your story at CRC5064@gmail.com.
With Sequanota Love,
Cathy
No comments:
Post a Comment