This past weekend, I went to a summer camp in the middle of Ohio with nearly 100 strangers. For anyone who knows me, you'll know this is just about the opposite of anything I'd normally do. I love air conditioning, nice clothes, steady internet service, and am an introvert. That being said, one of my biggest goals is to have more experiences in life. What better way than to push myself out of my comfort zone?
One of my favorite bloggers, Brittany, had asked her readers, “Wouldn't it be great to re-experience all the camp moments you loved as a kid, now that youโre legally allowed to drink and and light things on fire?”
I didn't really have any kid camp moments besides fat camp (which was quite posh), but I figured thisย might be interesting. It was only 2 hours from home, and my friend Retta was also going.ย With that, my trip to Camp Throwback was planned.
We arrived and after checking in and getting our cabin assignment (holla cabin 6!), I saw where home would be for the next 3 nights:
Oh lordy, help me.
I had 2 big fears with going to camp: 1) My ankle not being able to handle all the walking; 2) Bunk beds. More specifically, a top bunk. I could already imagine it: getting stuck with a top bunk and then falling in the middle of the night on top of the camper below me.
I nearly panicked when we walked into the cabin and saw that all of the 5 bottom bunks were claimed. I didn't want to make a bad impression by asking a stranger to move to a top bunk. Thankfully, new bunkmate Carrie agreed to move to the top. Panic attack averted.
Then I realized how small the bunks were. Phew, claustrophobia!
I told Retta that I wasn't sure I could make it through 3 nights! Alcohol and awesome people helped.
The closest I'll get to being Katniss. For 5 seconds, I was upset at my stomach in this photo. Then I realized I was about to censor myself by not sharing and I got over it. Life is too short.
There was a 90's party one night. I wanted to pair this outfit with jorts and combat boots, but running shorts and Teva's had to do. I printed out the NKOTB and Backstreet Boys photos on shipping labels to stick to my shirt.
We had arts and crafts where I didn't even realize I was creating something on top of a schmear of bird poo.
There were bonfires (thanks, Duraflame!)
We decorated field day shirts with puffy paint
Field day – go cabin 6! We made it to the semifinals of the dodgeball tournament (no thanks to me) and Theresa's watermelon eating skills won that competition. Retta made a valiant watermelon eating effort as well.
I hung out in the grass with daddy longlegs, ants, and other creepy crawlies. Andย great people.
It was a lot of walking, but my ankle held up. It started swelling pretty bad on the drive home and it's still pretty bad, but it did way better than I thought it would. Progress.
Throughout this experience I was reminded that you can't get more out of life if you don't push yourself. I really enjoyed myself and hope to go back for 2015. Thanks to Brittany for putting this event on, and for the awesome people I met. I have great memories and lots of bug bites to remind me of you.