A Summer Rewind

Well hello. Once again I haven't updated this in a VERY long time. So, let's do a little recap shall we.

In the last post I told y'all that I was moving back home. That happened in April of this year, but since then a lot has happened. The short version, I spent my summer working at a summer camp. The longer version is as follows...

In February of this year I was looking for a summer job and decided to apply for a summer camp not thinking that it would go anywhere. I never went to camp as a kid because let's be real, as an introvert being forced out of your shell for a week with people you don't know sounds absolutely terrifying. Well that thought was still in my mind as I went through the interview process. However, there was something in the back of my mind telling me that I would be okay. So, I accepted the job. Fast forward a few months and now it's May. I spent a week packing up my belongings into a duffel bag and thinking about all of the new things I would experience. About two weeks before staff training the camp asked if I would like to get wilderness first aid certified and I thought 'why not?' so I ended up leaving for camp a few days earlier than I had originally planned. The day that I was supposed to leave all of those feelings of self-doubt came crashing back to the surface. I had to force myself to get into the car and drive. If only that Madie knew that she was about to embark on one of the funnest and most life-changing summers yet.

Once I arrived at camp I felt so lost (partially because I arrived at night and actually was lost) and confused as to why I was there. But sure enough I met my first group of coworkers and instantly felt relief. Even though we weren't able to communicate super well, I felt welcomed and at peace. The next few days I spent learning all things wilderness first aid. I actually really loved the course and am now hoping to get wilderness first responder certified within the next year or so. Soon enough the rest of my coworkers arrived and staff training was happening. Those two weeks were some of the most hectic and tiring weeks of the summer, but I am so grateful for the connections built during that time. Staff training flew by and the first day with campers arrived before I knew it. That first week was a learning experience for sure and I definitely felt like I was nowhere near qualified to be in charge of 8 little kids. The one thing that kept me going that week was my coworkers. We had become so close during staff training and I honestly don't think I would have made it through that week without them. During training we had been told that the days would be long but the weeks would be short and I didn't fully understand what that meant. Huge shocker, they were in fact correct, the weeks flew by. Every arrival on Sunday was met soon after with a departure on Friday and the cycle continued to repeat itself week after week, camper after camper. Before I could even process what had happened, the last week of camp came and went, and suddenly my summer was over in what felt like mere days.

To say I learned a lot this summer would be an understatement. I learned to be myself, I learned to love unconditionally, I learned that things work out for a reason. Even though I was the counselor, I feel like my campers impacted my life more than I did theirs. Their joy, laughter, and love for eachother and that place will stick with me for the rest of my life. An even greater impact was left by my coworkers. The love and support each one of them provided has left a huge mark on my soul. Their willingness to try new things, to take a spontaneous roadtrip with me, to love boldly, to speak even when afraid, to dance when nobody's watching and when everyone's watching, and so many more things will forever inspire me. I can only hope that they know how loved and appreciated each one of them is. I truly would not have enjoyed this summer as much if it weren't for them. So, Will, Yessenia, Tori, Anna, Scott, Ally, Maria, Suzy, Bregeet, Ximena, Andrew, Asaf, Bethany, Macy, Micah, Lesly, Adam, Paetyn, Juli, Catherine, Stasia, and Frankie, I cannot wait to see you all again I love and miss each of you dearly and will forever remember the impact you have left on me.

Now comes the question we've all been asking, what next? I'm back at home and working four jobs which keep me very very busy, and to top it off I'm also a full-time student again. At the moment I'm trying to figure out how to balance it all and to create a routine in this new chapter of life. My life hasn't been very "traditional" the past few years, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for me next.

Below you can find some of my favorite pictures from this summer. I hope you can appreciate the beauty of the people and places in them just as much as I do.

As always, keep wandering.

Madie ♡