By Jenette Vogt

Today, as I sat outside on the porch at camp I realized how quiet it was. I listened to the spring birds singing their songs, watched the wind blow through the trees, and was mesmerized by the constant ripples on the lake. Camp was BEAUTIFUL. But as I sat and thought about the beauty in the stillness of camp, I realized that I was extremely lucky to be able to experience Camp AJ in this way. I guess one could say that I was experiencing the calm before the storm.

Camp AJ was not meant to be quiet, calm, and still. In fact, in just six short weeks those characteristics will NEVER cross people’s minds when they talk about camp. Camp will be crawling with ninety 7-13 year olds, screaming camp songs, playing games on the field, swimming in the lake, hiking through the woods, and doing arts and crafts. In those moments that our campers are having the time of their life ... that is when camp will be truly beautiful.

We have been planning and preparing all year for summer camp to make it the best summer possible for these campers. I can’t wait until summer camp starts. I am so excited to see camp in its truest form and to get to experience what I know will be one of the most amazing summers of my life.

Jenette is an AmeriCorps Camp Educator/Summer Camp Counselor living in the Jackson Volunteer House. She is a 2016 graduate of Eastern Illinois University. Opinions expressed in volunteer blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CAP or the Volunteer Program.