Heaven on Earth –
There’s nothing like pulling into the driveway off 3509 – seeing Charlie’s face smiling at you – welcoming you back to Heaven on Earth.
This is my ode to Camp Longhorn – for lack of better words – for helping me become the woman I am today.
When camp is over and I’ve said, “Solonghorn!” – the two long months waiting for that beautiful early bird to swoop by my mailbox and drop off my invitation, asking me to come back for another summer – are seemingly the longest two months of my life, but also, a consistent two months of reflection – of missing camp, the kids, the lake, the stars, and the chow hall.
Camp Longhorn has been my home for eight wonderful, unforgettable summers. I’ve made best friends and memories that will last a lifetime. For all that Camp Longhorn has given me throughout my life – I think it’s about time I give something back.
I know I could never give a gift that could truly represent everything camp has given to me. It’s like trying to find a present for someone who has everything. In and of itself – camp is whole and complete, lacking in nothing. The reason I can say that with absolute certainty is because of the people that make up camp – they are not scared to make mistakes, to love unconditionally, or to put others before themselves.
When life gets messy, Camp Longhorn boys and girls don’t quit and they don’t back down. They jump in feet first, ready to navigate through the mess, knowing they are not alone in the fight.
Everybody is somebody at Camp Longhorn.
Above all else – Camp Longhorn is fun – it’s laughter and it’s tears – it’s messy – it’s beautiful – and there is no place like it on Earth.
It seems as though time stops just for us, just for the summer. To preserve the warm sun, the cool lake water, the red, pink, and orange sunsets, and the endless amount of stars. Every year I come back because I can be myself. I can come exactly as I am and be met with love, acceptance, and celebration.
Living in community is hard – to be fully known and fully accepted is scary – there is potential you will get hurt because you allow yourself to be vulnerable – its close quarters and one bathroom and no air conditioning – it’s hanging your clothes outside on the line to dry – it’s camp all over again – just on the opposite side of the world.
Nothing could have prepared me for the decision to go on the World Race and truly embrace this transient season of life more than camp has. I can be in a van with no air conditioning, traveling through the woods of Ukraine, or standing on top of a mountain in Nepal and instantly be transported back to 78611 – all it takes it one verse of a song, one glance at the stars, a bumpy bus ride, or simply the smell of a campfire.
Camp Longhorn taught me to love well, to live in shared spaces, to laugh at myself, to celebrate mistakes made, to get excited when I see mud, to jump into bodies of water with no reservation, to live life ready to try new things, to be there for others, and most importantly, to enjoy the cold showers frequently shared with nature’s finest visitors.
Camp is unconditional – they say you get out of it what you put into it – but that’s not true. I give camp everything I have every summer and yet I get back tenfold. How could I ever express just how grateful I am for my time at camp, the lessons I’ve learned, and the friends I’ve made? Words don’t do it justice – and I don’t have enough merits to buy camp another blob – so loving camp and carrying the longhorn spirit with me half way around the world might have to do for now.
Seeing kids playing together in the streets of Kathmandu, in the villages of Southern India, the mountains of Peru, and the beaches of Guatemala – reminds me that no matter where I am – kids are still kids – and the lessons I’ve learned at camp: how to pour into a child’s heart and meet them where they are at, allow them the space and freedom to make mistakes, and also, to help them learn from them, to meet them in the middle of their mess and celebrate them for scraping their knees – has prepared me to be here more than any training ever could.
The people are what make camp such a unique place and why so many return back year after year. Maybe the best thing I can give back to camp is myself. Spending the year challenging and pushing myself, serving others first, and living in a community of people who refine me and hold me accountable will make me the best Kylie I could possibly be. When I return to camp – I will come back stronger, with more experience and more lessons learned, passing that knowledge on to the kids that surround me. To give my experiences, and myself, as a gift back to camp is the least I can do.
It’s not enough to show up to camp for 10 weeks and simply do what I am asked. Camp is all year round. I’ve known that my whole life, but sometimes it takes putting yourself on a plane and arriving half way around the world, sleeping in a room with 21 other girls all sharing the same bathroom, and spending my days loving and serving others, that allows the space for camp lessons to truly sink in.
Sitting by Phewa Lake tonight in Nepal – I was able to see every star in the sky. I instantly broke out into taps, maybe out of habit, or maybe out of a deep longing within my heart to be back with my chosen family. Getting to share such a special piece of my life with those traveling with me made me feel like I wasn’t quite so far away, at least momentarily.
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lake, from the hill, from the sky
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh
Each campfire lights anew the flames of friendship true
The joys we had in knowing you
Will last our whole life through
And as we end this night away
We wish that we might ever stay
But since we cannot have our way
We’ll come again some other day
Attawaytogo & Dear God, I love you.
