The Story of a Real Camp Counselor Her Gift to Make People Feel Welcome
Camp is unbelievably fun. It’s also a place where lasting and authentic friendships blossom. And camp is a place where growth, far beyond what we can imagine, can happen.
From time to time, I like to give folks a glimpse of what that actually looks like, feels like. This week I caught up with counselor Lauren McCrory, as she shares more of her story of how Camp has been a catalyst for her life’s journey. Thank you Lauren for sharing your camp counselor story!! We cannot wait to spend the summer again with you soon!
TEA: How did you find Camp Huawni?
LM: I stumbled across Camp Huawni thanks to Google. When I found camp’s website, I was blown away. My initial emotions were fear and hesitancy, but also excitement and eagerness. I was fearful and hesitant because I had only been to Texas once and now I was thinking of applying to spend my whole summer there? Eek! But the excitement and eagerness outweighed the fear and hesitancy by far, leaving only enthusiasm to find out more about Camp Huawni.
I met so many new people who impacted me in more ways than one, made some incredible friends, and connected with people like I never had before. – Lauren M.
TEA: How did you decide to apply?
LM: Every question I had was answered immediately through videos and articles, on the camp website which was super convenient and made my decision to apply that much easier. Especially the Don’t Work at Summer Camp. Get a Real Job article, the staff quotes, and all the pictures of everyone having so much fun! Those three things showed me that camp was a unique combination of fun and growth and I wanted in it on it. I knew I did not want to spend my summer at home, working a boring job every day, waiting for classes to start again. So I jumped in and I applied!
Camp taught me how to better communicate, how to be vulnerable and ask for help, and how to always be myself. – Lauren M.
TEA: What was your first summer like and what did you learn?
My first summer at camp began with me driving up and down FM 1645, lost, for the better part of an hour with no phone service, showing up late to staff orientation, then being embraced by everyone pretty much immediately. That’s when I knew that this summer was going to be unforgettable! It was loud, crazy, and exciting, but also calm, meaningful, and influential. I met so many new people who impacted me in more ways than one, made some incredible friends, connected with people like I never had, fell in love with sing song and other camp traditions, and had a blast all the while. My first summer was an experience that I will never forget. Camp taught me how to better communicate, how to be vulnerable and ask for help, and how to always be myself. I also learned that it is okay to mess up, as long as I use it as growing opportunity and keep moving.
Camp helped me by fostering an environment of growth and continuing to ask me questions that made me think about who I am and who I was really made to be. – Lauren M.
TEA: How did you decide to come back?
LM: When I came home after my first summer, I am pretty sure everyone around me was sick of hearing me go on and on about my time at Huawni. Deciding to go back for my second summer was such an easy decision. I wanted to see all my friends and campers from my first summer, I did not want to miss any sing songs, and I could not imagine starting my day without staff meeting. I absolutely had to go back!
TEA: What, if anything, did you learn about your true significance and purpose and how did camp help with that?
LM: Camp helped me by fostering an environment of growth and continuing to ask me questions that made me think about who I am and who I was really made to be. After two summers, I think that part of my significance is related to making others feel welcome and understood in all situations. I am still working to understand how this plays into my calling in life (purpose), and hopefully that will be something I can start to uncover this upcoming summer.
TEA: Have you learned anything else about yourself? How, if at all, has it impacted your decision making?
LM: I have learned that I am a huge people pleaser and this plays into everything I do and the way I react to most things. Sometimes “people pleaser” can carry a negative connotation, but I believe it is a positive attribute I possess. It is the reason behind my effort and motivation, which I am grateful for. Because of this, I have made a few life choices post camp that I definitely would not have made otherwise. They were scary and tough, but thankfully camp equipped me with strength and numerous people to support me through those decisions.
TEA: What would you tell someone who is looking to apply for staff for the first time?
LM: Do it! You will not regret it. Camp will be a season in your life that will mean more to you than you can ever express. Camp Huawni is a unique place that cannot be described in words alone — it’s the kind of place that to really understand what it is all about and what it has to offer. You have to experience it yourself! And trust me, it is an experience you do not want to miss!
