Kayaking with Confidence
I still remember the first time I got into a kayak at camp. I was 10 years old and I had to learn how to wet-exit just in case I flipped over. My instructor’s name was Liz and I recognized her very well from around camp. Little did I know she would go on to being an incredible role model in my life and one of the main reasons I fell so deeply in love with kayaking. Liz taught me how to wet-exit, paddle, T-rescue, and eventually roll. I went on my first ever white water kayaking trip with her, and 3 years later my first level 3 rapid. Kayaking became my favorite fun fact about myself, the thing I loved to do more than anything else, and the activity I found peace in.
I just recently went on my last ever kayaking trip with Liz, and things like that really put into perspective the reality that some people are in your life to make you into the person you end up being, and that doesn’t mean they were meant to be in your life forever. This is a reality that becomes very familiar at camp, because eventually everyone, both counselors and campers, will celebrate their last year at camp. We will all have our last night singing songs around the campfire, and staying up late laughing and playing cards. Camp is one of those things that is meant to be temporary, but leaves behind lessons, relationships, and skills that will last with you forever.
