"Camp" Buy Me Love
DISCLAIMER: This post may make you want to go to camp right at this very moment.
I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people in the world, because I have a second home that is equipped with: a lake, a water slide, 14 cabins, a riflery and archery range, a day referred to as "grilled cheese day," and the most amazing people in existence. Camp Wayfarer, nestled in the small town of Flat Rock, NC has found a big place in my heart. I can truly say that I would not be who I am today if it weren't for this place. Without Wayfarer, I never would have understood what it means to be truly happy, and how that correlates with being in a healthy state of mind. Everyone has or will experience times in their life where they have lost direction, and Camp Wayfarer came to me when I lost mine. They taught me to put my faith in God, and how to be true to myself. I find it a complete injustice that there are people in the world who have never heard of Wayfarer, and have no idea what this place has to offer. So I am here to tell you exactly what you can expect from this mountainous, slice of heaven.
1. Constant Screaming
From the moment you wake up, to the moment you go to sleep, noise is being made. Whether it is the head of morning dip slamming your door repeatedly and yelling how it's, "A BEAUTIFUL TO GET IN THE LAKE," or you're at the lake and it just happens to be dock wars that day, or it's dinner and someone has a birthday so everyone is chanting "Round the room you must go," while simultaneously banging on the table, or someone just randomly started "Jim Bob, Jim Bob, Nancy, Nancy," (which is literally a screaming competition), the noise is unwavering. My ears didn't stop ringing for a solid week and a half after leaving camp because I had to get used to how quiet the real world was.
Along with the damage to my ears, the constant use of my vocal chords took a toll on my voice, leaving me with virtually no voice for the entireity of camp. But I never. stopped. screaming.
2. "The Best way to Spread Camp Cheer is Singing (and dancing) Loud For All to Hear"
Along with screaming, you can expect a lot of singing and dancing at Wayfarer. People sing and dance in the dining hall, in the cabins, on their way to activities, in the pool (S/O to water ballet), in the morning, and in the evening. Literally everywhere and at all times.
Camp songs are a staple of any and every camp in existence (google it) and if you find yourself at Wayfarer and someone is "forming the corn", then you better be ready to "Shuck the corn, shuck, shuck the corn." Or if there is a girl and a boy in a little canoe, there is a good chance that the girls are paddling and the boys are swimming. (He should have just kissed her, am I right?).
Dancing is a common occurence that typically accompanies all of the singing. It is a guaranteed assumption that if "Firework" by Katy Perry comes on, the entire camp will go nuts and break out into a choreographed dance that could be worthy of the best flash mob in history. And somehow, by the end of the two and a half weeks, every camper has managed to learn all of the moves to the staff dance, which is usually set to an upbeat/techno 80's song that goes perfectly with any random combination of dance moves.
Personally, I will never be able to listen to "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics the same, EVER again.
And the bane of all of boy's camp, but the main event for girl's camp: the Saturday night camp dance. Although this particular event is the main cause for premature graying for children from the ages of 9-14, it is where the saying, "dance like no one is watching," was born. No cheesy dance move is left undone and no 90's song, unplayed.
3. The Tackier, the Better
There is no tacky fashion trend that hasn't graced the grounds of Wayfarer. They've literally seen it all:
-The comfortable combination of socks and chacos or "Sockos"
-Every color croc available- including camo
-Shirts with large animal heads on them. (I don't know how this started, but something about having a large pug's face on your shirt is awesome)
-Scrunchies, the ultimate hair accessory
-One-Piece bathing suits. unfortunate, but necessary.
-Every article of yellow/green/red/blue/pink clothing that you can possibly find, worn at the same time, all in the name of Color wars.
- Nightgowns/onesies because they are comfortable and practical.
-Tutus: these are appropriate for any and all occasions.
-One for all, and all for OVERALLS.
- The weirdest and craziest attire you can find and put together for SkAtE nIgHt
- Tacky christmas sweaters (for Christmas in July, DUH)
-Pilgrim costumes
-Trilbies (which are NOT the same as Fedoras)
-Fedoras
-Etc.
The list is never-ending. The best part about all of these questionable clothing choices, is that they are never questioned. If you are wearing anything that is considered "normal" and it's not vespers or your day off, then you are doing too much. Wayfarer is a place to show your true self, and always be "chillin' with no makeup on."
4. What Is An Alarm Clock?
Every morning you are awoken by the sounds of a recorded bugle playing all across camp, followed by a CD playing either Fleetwood Mac, or Michael Jackson's greatest hits (or if you're lucky, Aaron Burdett singing about a magpie with a history of larceny).
This is then followed by putting on your bathing suit, and jumping into a freezing cold lake at 7:30 am, which is (hopefully) followed by a hot shower. Those few that are dedicated enough to commit to this morning routine every morning of camp, know how valuable a tree stump with ribbon attached to it is.
Side Note: I was the winner of the Honorable Morning Dip award. *punches the air*
5. Cookies and Milk Is Its Own Food Group
This is a fact that needs no elaboration, and should never be disputed.
6. All Hail, Laura Lynn.
Laura Lynn is considered a Goddess inside the forest-walls of Wayfarer. She provides us with all of our food at a discounted rate, and we have her to thank for keeping the camp store stocked with sodas, and every carton of milk that accompanies our Laura Lynn cookies.
If this is your first time hearing of Laura Lynn, shame on you. But to right this severe wrong, you can familiarize yourself with her at any Sam's Club, Ingles, or grocery store that offers buying items in bulk.
7. Lake Chamois, Home of King Neptune
Blobbing, Wet Willy-ing, and Canoeing, Oh My! Wayfarer's man-made lake is the shining beacon of camp, and it is extremely exclusive because it requires an invitation to even gain entry.
Chamois lies at the heart of the camp and is truly where all the real action happens. In this lake, you will find that blobbing is a verb that is commonly used in conversation, and if you're talking about double-blobbing, than you are fearless (and will probably walk away with whiplash).
If you are caught coming late to breakfast, then this is the site of your baptism and the lilypads and aquashock await your shameful entry.
King Neptune, who actually mans the depths of Chamois; along with all of the bandaids, shoes, and iPhones that have been lost to these artificially blue waters, always manages to make an appearance at the end of camp (terrifying all of Lower 1 front and the Men of 16 in the process), before ultimately being defeated and sent back into the water solely by the end of a broomstick.
8. B.C.F.F (best camp friends forever)
Getting into the mushier topics, I owe some of my closest friendships to Wayfarer.
After leaving camp, it is customary to receive an influx of friend requests, instagram followers (which lead to more likes, whoop whoop), snapchat friends, and pen pals. Since Wayfarer is an international camp, I can brag about having friends that live in France, Spain, Colombia, and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Your co-counselors become your automatic friends the minute you get to camp. You all get to spend 7 weeks together, commiserating over the laborious task of moving bunks, making peanut butter sandwiches when your campers don't like what's for dinner, dancing on stage together at the camp dances, hiding together during counselor hunt (Counselor Hunt champs of first session, 2015!), endless Sonic trips, making awards in arts & crafts until 2 am the night before banquet, and for some particular co-counselors: living under the same roof and inspiring a cabin-full of campers.
Speaking of campers, it is an incredible feeling to know that you have made an impact on someone's life, and it is even more incredible to recognize how big of one they have made on yours. The campers that I have had, have been these catalysts and I owe them so much, because these friendships are really what have molded me. I am not afraid to admit that some of my best friends are more than 5 years younger than me because those individuals are some of the coolest 11, 14, and 16 year olds that have ever walked the face of the Earth, and I am so unbelievably lucky to know them.
From the latter, I know that I always have someone that I can call (or write a magic note to) solely to discuss how the post-camp depression is still relevant and how everytime "We're All In This Together," from High School Musical comes on, I have to fight the urge to cry.
9. We Love Tradition and Have A Lot of Them
Camp Wayfarer is not just a place for singing and swimming and eating grilled cheese, it is so much more than that. Wayfarer is a place that is rich with tradition and built on the continuous passing of those traditions.
It is a safe bet to say that on the first night of camp in June of 1996/2000/2015: spaghetti, dinner rolls, salad, and yellow cake with cream cheese frosting were all served for dinner.
If you have ever seen the (new) honor council ring lit up with candles and filled with the voices of the entire camp singing "Hold It Up to the Light," then you know, the goose bumps are uncontrollable and that we have Nick Dancik to thank for this incredible and beautiful service.
Banquet night is the most emotional night that you will ever experience. This event is always held the night before everyone leaves Wayfarer and ventures out of the camp bubble into reality. From the moment that Jim Bob (the Camp Owner, Father, Designer, Builder, Mastermind, Child Whisperer, Main Supporter of the White-Button-Down-Shirt Industry, etc.) cracks open Oh, The Places You'll Go! the tears are falling uncontrollably. This sobbing continues all the way through the all-camp group hug of off-beat swaying to "Rainbow Connection," and everyone running around the gym making sure they've hugged everyone at least twelve-times before going to spend that last, depressing night in the cabin.
These are all memories that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. While my time at Wayfarer has sadly come to an end, I will never, ever forget the gift that this place has given me. I have learned to always be my true self, and to never be ashamed of who that is, to accept people for who they are, to enjoy the little things in life, to not be afraid to venture out of my comfort zone, to be on my A-game all day everyday (even if every moment is being filmed by a drone), to always be willing to extend a smile and a listening ear, to respect traditions and the meanings behind them, and that you can never be truly happy until you are absolutely free. Wayfarer is my camp, and it is where I became the happiest and healthiest version of myself, and I truly hope that everyone is able to experience a place like this in their lifetime.
As a parting note: Carpe Diem, Go Cardinals and Always keep your compass bearing on God's will.
