Letting Go

Two in one day AGAIN! This is insane here people!

I've known this day was coming for about ten months now. I knew eventually I would get here, but I just couldn't imagine ever being on this side of the fence.

As of today, I am no longer a JC for the IAJHSC Leadership Camp. Today mail went out and emails ensued for all of those lucky ones who will be returning to camp this summer. And since Leadership Camp has been such a huge part of my life, I figured I owed it some blog time.

It was 2001 when I first stepped foot into Allerton Park in Monticello, IL. I was with my family, dropping my sister off at this camp full of crazy weirdos jumping around and singing and making noise. I went back in 2003, when I dropped my brother off for the same experience. And finally, I went for myself in the summer of 2004, armed with the knowledge and wisdom of my siblings, whose only advise was: be yourself.

That one single week taught me everything I know about being my own person, and I can't begin to describe how camp changed my life. And going back as a JC was the best of my high school years.

I can't even come close to explaining all of the amazing experiences I had at camp, so I won't even try, but I do have to say that camp isn't a place, or a week full of events. Camp is a song in my heart that will always be playing in the background, and its influence touches everything I do.

I'm incredibly grateful for my years at camp, and I'd love to go back as a senior staffer and continue giving back to that powerful organization and learning from those amazing delegates. But for now, I'll be sad and jealous that all of my friends get to go back because they are still in high school and eligible to be JCs, and I'm in college, forced to move on with my life and let go.