And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places... Those who don't believe in magic will never find it Six hours prior, I was standing atop Mt. Whitney, the highest elevation in North America. Now I stand in my private hostel room, showered, new dress, sprawled on my bed, catching up with friends on social media. My eyes scan the nonsense until it spots a post of interest. My friend Johan was spending his summer as program director for Camp Jack Hazard. There is a very special place in my heart for Camp Jack Hazard. My love for backpacking began at camp, my love for teaching began at camp, my appreciation for community began at camp. When I came across Johan's post, a smile spread wide across my face. In less then a week, he would be needing a camp counselor. It had only been six hours off the mountain, but the Sierras were calling me back already. I reached out to him and expressed interest in the work. He was thrilled to have me. I was ecstatic to return as a camp counselor. The last job I had held at CJH was the Head Food Specialist. I missed working with the campers on a more intimate level. I was assigned 10 ten-year-old girls. I wrote in my journal one night, "children have the unique gift of fulfilling an empty space in one's heart while simultaneously driving you crazy." I still remember my camp counselors growing up. It is very special to now have the ability to return the gift of nurturance, fun, and safety. One special aspect of the structure of Camp Jack Hazard is their inclusion of a 3-day backpacking trip for all campers. After spending a month hiking in the Sierras, I was most excited for sharing this adventure with my cabin and planting a little seed in their spirit. My idealization of the trip came crashing down after about 5 minutes on the trail. Complaints about the weight on their back, the heat, the distance were spreading like wild fire. I had to stop the girls in their tracks and give a motivational speech with the hope of inspiring them to find enjoyment in the experience. They were pumped up for about 5 minutes until another uphill came into sight. It was a challenge for the girls, but they did it! I was so proud of them and even better, they felt great for their accomplishing such a feat! We spent the next three days exploring the valley and the river. I recommend CJH to every family. Camps are a great way to explore independence, social connections, and self-expression. I am grateful to have returned this summer. It was a beautiful reminder of how much of an impact one week can make on a child's life. Ok...had to share! My daughter just now finished telling us about her experience at CJH. She was so excited and couldn't contain herself. This was her first experience, but definitely not her last. She feels so good about herself and all she learned! But most importantly, nearly every sentence ended with "everyone was so nice and, Mom, it was soooo beautiful!" -Mother of one of my 2015 campers
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