A few years ago, I was a youth counselor at a YMCA camp in North Carolina (okay, maybe more than a few). I had the pleasure and challenge of living the summer in a cabin with a group of 15 up-and-coming 6th graders – an adventure for sure.
Each week, a new set of campers would go home, and a new batch of campers was dropped off by their excited (or weepy – but mostly excited at this age) parents for a week of summer camp. Even for the homesick at heart, it was a fun experience.
During the 4th week, I was introduced to a new camper who was the only 5th grader ever to be kicked out of the camp the previous year. We had an amazing group of counselors, and you have to do something pretty rotten to have your butt sent home. However, he managed that, BUT was given a second chance to come back the next year to redeem himself, in my cabin. I was introduced and educated on the child of what had gone wrong, but they really wanted him to succeed here.
Challenge accepted. He. Was. Not. Going. Home. Not on my watch.
The week was bumpy, emotional (ups and downs), but by the end of the week, we made it! I was so incredibly proud of him, and more importantly, he was too. After that summer, I graduated and moved on to “adult life” but always stayed in touch with the staff alumni, campers, and families that were the frequent fliers who attended year after year. Christmas cards, social media postings, graduation notices – all good stuff!
I never knew what happened to my challenge-accepted camper until about 7 years later when he contacted the camp director to find me. No social posting but a letter, thanking me for impacting his life that summer. Home life was not easy for him growing up with many challenges in his life. That week was a first in a long time that he saw that things could be better. It was a simple thank you letting me know that he had graduated with honors from high school, been accepted into Clemson University, and was the first person in his family to head to college. I still have that letter and follow him as he has moved through life.
That week I thought of myself, how proud I was of ME getting this kid to make it through the week without being kicked out – my project. However, it wasn’t about me; I never had thought of how it truly impacted him – until that letter.
I was humbled and appreciative of the chance to serve. My point is you never know the impact of your actions, no matter how minimal. From saying thank you to the UBER driver, holding a door, or an understanding smile vs. a glare to a parent whose special needs child is losing it in Target (trust me, experience here).
As I reflected on that unforgettable summer at the YMCA camp in North Carolina, the significance of daily actions and thankfulness became even more apparent to me. The experience with the challenging camper taught me that every interaction, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on someone’s life.
I realized that it wasn’t just about the grand gestures or the major accomplishments; it was about the simple acts of kindness, understanding, and gratitude that truly made a difference. From the heartfelt thank you letter I received years later to the everyday moments of appreciation shared with those around me, I understood the power of acknowledging and valuing the efforts of others.
Whether it was a smile to a stranger, a kind word to a colleague, or a supportive gesture to a friend in need, I learned that these seemingly insignificant actions could create ripple effects of positivity and hope in the lives of others. It was a reminder that we all have the ability to make a difference, no matter how small our actions may seem.
In a world where challenges and uncertainties abound, practicing thankfulness and kindness in our daily interactions can truly transform lives and foster a sense of connection and compassion. It was a lesson that stayed with me long after my days as a youth counselor, reminding me of the profound impact of simple acts of kindness and the power of gratitude in shaping the world around us.
