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| Wet Hot American Summer. Watch it. |
Camp is an interesting bubble, where life continues, but at an accelerated rate. It's like an adult version of High School.... and a less supermodel version of Big Brother... People come with these secret lives and crazy background stories, and some with serious commitments, that they don't always share. Even if they should.
You learn quickly in this tiny world harsh lessons of trust, truth, and even yourself in all of it. You never know how far you are willing to stretch your morals and set boundaries, until you face the opportunity to do so. And this opportunity often makes the most compelling arguments.
In regards to love, romance, flings, etc., there are certain stories that repeat themselves over and over again though.
- There is the night that you spend with a guy you thought was a cool guy, where you engage in just about anything ranging from a dance to a full night, and then the next day, he walks around like he doesn't know you. OR she- girls do it too. Just somebody that I used to know... My favorite is when they avoid you like the plague, and don't make eye contact, because who knows what will happen after that. It's like what I do to vendors at the swap meet- if I make eye contact, then I feel like I have to show some respect for them as human and at least make some convo.
- Then there are people in weirdly complicated semi/maybe relationships with someone back home, but they are starting to really like you and it scares the shit out of them. So what do they do? Normally freak, and then who knows what. A lot of the times you are apart of this and have no clue that you are, so you are left just confused.
- There are those in committed relationships, who do all that they can to build boundaries so that they can respect this relationship. This HAS to be INTENTIONAL, because we are HUMAN.
- Then there are those who are also in a committed relationship... but don't really care. And some of these people tell you straight up, and others put on a mask and hide it. Of course, with these come the partners who are willing to step into this world of infidelity with them. If you don't know the girl/guy, and they are never made real in your mind by the other person, then they become forgettable. Unfortunately. In the real world, you tend to have your head on straight, morals in full sight, and accountability just around the corner. When you are at camp, you are left to your own devices.
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| Hot Wet American Summer |
- And then... there are those sparking relationships that lead you into this "summer love"or infatuation... which can end up in so many ways. This, well honestly, I am not too sure about, as I am still living through my own things. From the last experience though I found that after the summer some people that I really connected with found a way back into my life... and we still talk to this day. Camp love can last though: Some people meet in the summer, and keep in touch over the years, until they can meet again. Some continually meet up at camp, until circumstances allow them to move together. Camp has led to happy couples, who fought diligently for love, but they are also experts at the scary reality that you may just have to let it go. Let it be. Let destiny do its thing.
BUT the Friendships you make at camp truly do last a lifetime. Some counselors make an conscious effort to not get involved with anyone, just because of this. The reality of camp though, is that you will struggle through it. You will be tired, hungry, uncomfortable, homesick, etc. just like everyone else around you, and so you share the struggle with the friends you make. Charles Caleb Colton once said that "the firmest friendships have been formed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame." This makes these bonds unique and long-lasting, even across continents.
I always miss by camp buddies.
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My Camp Life/Love playlist:
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