"I consider camp a part of my family"

73 DAYS UNTIL HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR GRAND OPENING!

Read Ally's story about her transformation from shy camper to confident counselor:

Seven years ago, I was a shy 10-year-old who never spoke out. Then my mom decided that I should try YMCA Camp. I was terrified, but she assured me that if I did not like it, I would never have to go back.

When I arrived at Pilgrim Cove, I was so intimidated. I knew no one, had never been away from my family for more than a day, and there were all of these enthusiastic people talking to me. These were the counselors.

In my eyes, the counselors were the epitome of what I wanted to be, but I felt like that was so out of reach. To my surprise, a few days into camp I had made friends and I found myself talking more than I ever had before. I already loved camp. By the end of the week, I knew what my goal was — to become a counselor.

When I got home, my mom asked me if I would like to go back next year and I immediately said yes. My camp life had just begun — how could I not go back?

Throughout the next five years of being a camper, L.I.T. and C.I.T., I began to pick up the mannerisms of the counselors and realized that I had become outgoing, confident and who I truly am. 

As a second-year counselor, I have the foundation that I need to become a role model for my campers, and I feel like I have been building on that for years. Camp and the staff helped me become who I am, and for that I am forever grateful. I consider camp a part of my family, and I never want to give that up. Hopefully I can encourage my campers to feel that way, too.