Written by: Arnold Garcia, 4th Year Camp Aranzazu Activity Leader

It is a difficult thing to describe camp. It’s easy to talk about the impact it has on the campers that are served year -around. They can come to camp and have fun, forgetting about their disabilities or other disabling conditions for a while. But Camp does more than provide a fun camp experience, it also leads to opportunity, growth, and self-identity.

When became an activity leader at Camp Aranzazu in summer of 2021, I did not think it would be so eye opening. That first summer went by in a flash and left me fulfilled and wanting to do more with my life. Jump forward to now, and I’ve completed my fourth summer as an activity leader. Everyone always asks, “Why do you keep coming back?” I am still not a hundred percent sure why I do, but if I were to describe it, I would say it is the culture built here. It is the people. The facilities are incredible, but at the end of the day, it is the collaborative effort of the people who pour their hearts into this magical place.

During my time at camp, I woke up every day excited to go to work. Do not get me wrong, this job challenges you every day. Sometimes, that meant showing up to work at 6:30 in the morning to set up sailboats for our sailing program, maybe it was a late night with an evening tower and zipline, maybe it was the long and hot days during those kayaking sessions, and maybe it was the tremendous amount of rain and mosquitos. Whatever challenge was presented in front of the staff, we did our best to work around it. You do not find that same grit and determination everywhere, and it felt like a privilege to work alongside the incredible people that walked through those gates.

Camp Aranzazu showed me the good that can be done when a group of individuals come together with a mission in mind to create a fun, loving environment, where no matter what you look like, no matter the religion you follow, or the different choices you have made, camp welcomes them all. Seeing this week after week, and the good done day in and day out, helped me grow not only with the certifications and training, but also the skills I gained here. I was not much of a speaker and have always described myself as shy. Here at camp, I had to not only talk to people, but teach them how to use a fishing pole, even though I just learned the week before. I learned to stay flexible, and I have learned to love the growth I have had at Camp Aranzazu.

If I were to summarize the lessons, I have attained it camp it would be to not take life for granted, being comfortable in my own skin, and never stop learning.