Dear Counselors,

I may not know you yet but I do know you are about to embark on the best summer of your life, rather its your first time inside the gates or your tenth. You are so lucky to get to spend sunny days with full hearts learning and growing with beautiful souls. You are so lucky that Sunday is cookie night and every smiley-fry day is a holiday. You are so lucky that you get to help an oldie be a princess again with the right attitude and tiara. You are so lucky that every moment is a reason to be goofy and silly. Who needs to be in the "real" world anyways?
Please love and care for each camper that walks in, especially the ones who do not appear or act lovable. You will find that your heart is bottomless. You can keep pouring out love and forgiveness and kindness over and over again. This bottomless well is fed by your campers. Your energy to plan the best activities comes from their laughter and excitement. Your energy to wake up at three a.m. to take a camper to the restroom comes from their hugs. Your energy to remain enthusiastic all the time, even when things do not go as planned comes from their bravery to try something new. Lastly, do not be afraid, hold the camp butterflies at ease, your campers will show you what to do and they will lead you every step of the way.
Love and hugs,
in denial camp counselor