“‘Camp’ kind of just fell into my lap. I started attending when I was 12, a bit later than most, but nonetheless I was there. And it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Campers swim every day and do all sorts of activities, from making stained glass to waterskiing. Some stay all summer, some only for 2 weeks. After my first summer, I fell in love with my “camp-self,” as my friends and I like to call it. A carefree, stress free, happy, more confident version of my “home-self.”  There is a sure difference between the two, and the transformation isn’t always very clear. It happens somewhere between dance parties, jumping off the diving board and playing capture the flag. Sounds like summer camp, right? It’s more than that. I was influenced by strong female role models, and was forced out of my comfort zone. So, my passion for feminism and female leadership is driven in my early days as a camper. I learned how to deal with other people, live with other people, and listen to other people. I became addicted. I was addicted to the thrill, and the getaway car that took me out of Kennebunkport when everyone else was flooding towards it. I created lifelong friendships, and met people from all over the world. I swam in the lake. Every day. In the rain. In the sun. In the dark. I started to work my way up, my camper days were over. I was a counselor in training for two summers and spent 8 hot, hard, amazing weeks with 20 other girls learning the ins and outs of being a staff member. (This including a lot of doing the dishes and sweeping the floors). This upcoming summer, I will be a full fledged staff member. The roles have reversed for me. I am no longer looking up to the older counselors for advice. I am the counselor. This has taught me a lot about responsibility, and how your actions reflect on others. In 2016, I learned that It’s okay to “take a digger.” We all crumble every once in awhile. Whether it was college apps, a huge course load, or even too many extracurriculars (for myself the combination of all 3). I learned that, when you do crumble, to just get back up and dust yourself off. No one looks down on you for having a weak moment. Going in to 2017, I hope to channel a lot more of my “camp-self” and to stay positive, stay patient and to try new things. Combining who I am at camp and who I am outside can be a struggle, but I think it is a lot easier than I think it is. It’s 2017 Eliza. The same old Eliza, but just a bit brighter.”