Girls of Pine Top

I wanted to get an idea of what the oldest girls at camp think about their time at Huawni. During their rest period, I asked them to answer a few questions about camp and their individual experiences here. Most of the girls in the oldest girl’s cabin, Pine Top, have been at camp at least five years. After five summers, I wanted to know what they have learned about themselves.

My first question for the girls was, “What makes you keep coming back to camp?” The majority of answers I got from them were about the friends they make at camp. These relationships are ones they don’t want to miss out on – what brings them back to camp every summer! One of my favorite answers was from Paige, a 5th year camper who said:

The atmosphere that allows me to be me.

To hear from 15 and 16-year-old girls about them being themselves and welcoming their differences makes me, as a 22-year-old, wish I could have had that same experience. Our Counselors here are doing all they can to ensure all the campers feel insanely loved and able to be themselves. Our camper to counselor ratio is 3 to 1, which enables us to know your kids on a personal level. We’re learning about what makes them who they are and when they feel like themselves. Another question I asked them was, “Why do you come to Camp Huawni rather than other summer camps in TX?” Which yielded responses such as,

The down to earth nature. The no electronics or no AC makes it feel really nice to be able to get away from everything for a few weeks. -Olivia

At Camp Huawni we’re outdoors all the time and there’s more freedom to be ourselves. – Mary

As our oldest campers here at Huawni, it is so comforting to know that they feel known and peaceful away from the rest of the world. There’s definitely that freedom felt at camp – when you’re away from the drama at home or any responsibilities. They get to feel that here and I’m thankful I get to work for a Camp that values that freedom.

I’ll leave y’all with my last question to the girls of Pine Top, “What is something you have learned at Camp Huawni?” This is one I was very excited to ask them. I didn’t know if they would just say, “I don’t know…” or “How to critter someone really well”. These girls showed me their maturity by answering:

To accept others from all walks of life. – Mary

I learned that if I’m different than anyone else, I shouldn’t try to hide it. When you are truly you, it makes you feel better about everything you are. – Sophie

To accept myself. To take risks. – Cee-Cee

I’ve learned about the value of friendship. – Mallory

How to be more confident and not be afraid to show excitement and emotions. – Olivia

We get to watch our campers grow, whether that’s from year to year or even just within the two weeks there here at Camp. Please comment below on any changes you’ve experienced or seen in your kids from time at Camp Huawni!