In 2018, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply to work at a summer camp in the US. I deferred my university degree for a year, filled out all of the necessary paperwork, and paid for an agency to put my application together. Growing up in Australia, I had plenty of experience with kangaroos, snakes, and beautiful sandy beaches, but summer camp was a completely foreign world to me. Wary of new and uncharted territory, I was so excited when I received an invitation to interview with Keystone Camp in North Carolina.
Two days after my interview, I received a job offer to work at Keystone for the summer of 2019. I looked at the website a few more times, showed my friends the Instagram page, and started looking at flights. I eagerly accepted the offer and began planning for my journey to the US.
In late May 2019, I arrived at Keystone Camp for the first time. Little did I know how much camp would change me and challenge me. Two weeks into the first session, I was hooked. I loved everything about working at camp (except maybe all the bug bites…). I loved showing my campers what it means to be a good role model and a leader at Keystone. I loved singing songs at assembly every morning. I loved bagels for breakfast. I loved hiking and swimming in Pisgah National Forest on trips. I loved Banquet and campfire and team games day. I loved everything about camp, but most of all, I loved myself when I was at camp.
After that first summer, I came back to work as LIT (Leader-In-Training) Director in 2020 and again as Aide Director in 2021, working with our oldest campers in the Keystone Camp leadership program. This program is so important to who we are as a camp because it teaches campers how to be a part of something bigger than themselves. We strive to instill independence, responsibility, compassion, and integrity into our campers, especially those in their high school years. Watching campers grow during their leadership summers and seeing them then transition to staff members was a huge part of why I kept coming back.
Early in 2022, I was lucky enough to be asked to join the Keystone administrative team as a year-round Associate Director. Sometimes I think back to my first day at camp and how much things have changed since then, in both my life and in the world. I also think about how lucky I am to be a part of a community dedicated to uplifting and challenging young women. I believe summer camps are environments that nurture growth and confidence in young people, especially at Keystone Camp, where we also strive to create a sense of belonging and acceptance in everyone.
My hope whilst in this role is to continue the impactful and intentional work that Keystone has been implementing for decades. Since taking on this role, I have learned so much about myself, from the challenges of running Staff Development to navigating Opening Day logistics and resolving camper conflicts. Through it all, I have built resilience, confidence, adaptability, and an even greater appreciation for the love of this community.
