Camp is the most life-changing experience!

My name is Nadine Hebert and I was a counselor at SRCC last summer. This was the most life changing experience for a small town, East coast Canadian girl like me!

I had just graduated from college and wanted to have one last hurrah before starting my “big girl life.” I was, and am still, currently working in the customer service industry. All I knew was that I was meant for something bigger than this. I figured a summer of fun in the sun would be a perfect way to buy some time to make the big life changing decision that awaited me – what to do next! My last hurrah was a little bigger than I had expected, because I am coming back for another fun filled summer and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

I was so nervous pulling up into camp the first day because I had never really stepped out of my comfort zone or did anything drastic in my life. I was so eager to meet the kids and get started, but at the same time, I was a little scared because I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My mom always told me that if I could find a job that I love, I would never have to work a day in my life. I never truly understood the meaning of this until I started “working” at SRCC. Having said that, and having experienced my summer with SRCC, I now know that I want to spend the rest of my life working with kids like the ones I met this summer.

I had the most incredible summer ever! I learned more important life lessons in my 10 weeks at SRCC than I have in my entire life… I learned how to be a “STARFISH” and what that meant. Better yet, I witnessed every single boy and girl at SRCC demonstrate STARFISH qualities. To my surprise, I also learned more about dinosaurs, trucks and Disney princesses than any 22 year-old girl should know. Let me tell you, I was schooled on all subjects by the most brilliant two and a half year old kids I’ve ever met!

I had the privilege of meeting the most caring and wonderful counselors who have become lifelong friends and who will always have a special place in my heart. I still keep in touch with them today, and I am so thankful to have shared this exciting experience with them. These memories are something that I know will stay with all of us forever.

I now have friends from all over the world and learned so much about their different cultures. Most of all, our summer was so memorable because of the fun, creative and inspiring kids we got to spend all of our time with.

Leaving SRCC was the most bittersweet moment. I was excited to go home and see my family, but at the same time I didn’t want camp to end (EVER!!) I can’t wait for this upcoming summer to see all my old friends. I think I speak for all of us when I say we are so eager to see our old campers and to meet our new ones (so we can show them what SRCC is all about!) I am so ready for another summer of playing games in the pool, learning tennis with the campers, helping the little ones get slam dunks in basketball and everything else that SRCC has to offer! Most of all, I am excited to have another summer of watching these amazing little munchkins grow into inspiring, charming and outstanding little people and knowing that I got to be a part of that…
See you all this summer!!
Lots of love, Nadine