What else is love?
Four years ago I never would have imagined that my dream job would be one which consisted of playing in the dirt, sneaking around and scaring people, or dressing up as one of the members of the Village People and performing the YMCA on a plywood stage. Because working at camp has stretched my imagination in this way, and because it has challenged me and pushed me to grow as a human being means more than I can ever express. Being here is so much more than just doing a job; the people here and the work you do touch parts of your heart and mind that hold the most love and the most humility. We are all just people here--no one person is put above another. We strive to provide choices, freedom, confidence and independence.
When I first drove up the hill in 2007 as a counselor I was going into this job with no prior experience working with people with special needs. Within the first few hours of first session I knew that this was a place where I belonged. I witnessed returning campers run off of buses and out of cars to race into the arms of past counselors. I saw the smiles on new camper’s faces and how excited they were to spend time away from their families and with their peers. I saw a family and knew that I wanted to be a part of it.
Now in 2010 that family has grown and I have returned to camp for the fourth time, two years as counselor and two years as counselor coordinator. I carry memories with me from my very first summer and from all the summers after that. I feel so fortunate to have discovered this pocket of love and hope in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Being with campers, talking with them and seeing how comfortable and free they feel here is an inspiration and has led me in a direction in my life that I am so happy with. I send my sincerest thank you to all parents and caregivers who send their campers to Camp Krem. They are all beautiful and loved and forever a part of our Camp Krem family.
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