Thanks to Camp…
In 2017, Ouareau participated in the #ThanksToCamp campaign which was lead by one of our directors: Gabz. The campaign aimed to show people who have never been to camp what impact camp has had on their lives. In a way, it also helped us by showing us what camp is all about for our campers and our staff, and still today, two years later, people still tell us about why they loved the campaign and most importantly, they keep sharing their #ThanksToCamp stories.
As the summer approaches, we asked a couple of our staff members to share with us a bit about why they come back to camp year after year and what Camp Ouareau has brought them.
Here's what they had to say…
Last year, was my first year at camp EVER! I had never been a camper at any type of camp, but the idea really intrigued me. It seemed like people always walked away from the summer with tons of inside jokes, crazy memories and the greatest of friends. When I was given the opportunity to be the Head of Language I was ecstatic! I couldn’t wait to spend the entire summer at camp while gaining experience for my dream job: a teacher. Over the course of the summer, I had an amazing time swimming in the lake, roasting marshmallows, singing songs by the campfire, meeting staff from around the world, and connecting with so many different campers. However, the job also required a whole lot of work, patience and spontaneity! Needless to say, I left Ouareau with more than just some experience; I left with the best friends I’ve ever had, a better understanding of who I am, enough memories to last a lifetime, oh, and a whole lot of sand in places I never thought possible. I am so excited to return to camp this year and continue to grow as an educator, friend, leader, and most of all, as an independent woman.
-Mel is our 2019 co-head of language
9 years ago I discovered a book series about an all-girls summer camp and told my mom I wanted to go there. Unfortunately, the camp didn't exist, but she found something better: Camp Ouareau.
Thanks to Ouareau I am the person I am today. I find my personal growth cannot be measured in school years, but rather in summers spent at camp. Each new summer is filled with challenges and opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone, and as a result I continue to learn new things about myself which guide me throughout the year.
I return every summer because of the friendships I’ve made, the land, lake, and sky, and the promise of personal exploration that awaits me. At camp I feel entirely free to fully discover all that I am capable of, and this makes Ouareau so special to me.
- Zoe is our 2019 Media co-coordinator.
It was at camp, where I found my second home.
I had been to summer camps before but knew that after my first summer at camp, that I had found my special place. Camp quickly became part of my life and I never questioned whether I would return the following year. Throughout my years at camp, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the coolest and smartest girls and women. Although I’m going on to my 10th year (woot woot) I still make new friends every year and enjoy camp just as much. I’m lucky enough to have experienced camp as a camper, C.I.T. and staff member. I strongly believe that Ouareau is the ‘best kept secret’ as I like to call it, since no one who goes can explain just how special it is to them. By not being able to find the words to explain what camp is, it remains a love and joy felt only by Ouareau girls across the world. That’s pretty special if you ask me. I cannot and do not want to imagine my life without Ouareau and I know that it will always be responsible for shaping the woman I am today.
- Laurence T. is our 2019 Media co-coordinator.
