On Thursday, May 29, 2025, North Atlanta’s last day of school, most students rushed home, threw away all of their papers (maybe even burned a few binders), and flung themselves onto their beds, ready for a restful summer. However, not all North Atlanta students envisioned a relaxing two months. Instead, June marked their return to their “home away from home,” or summer camp. For many students, summer camp is the one place they can escape reality and embrace a new type of normal.
Being at camp means constantly being surrounded by friends, not having your phone, and waking up at 7 a.m. to eat a mediocre breakfast. However, frequent summer camp goers can attest that at camp, they are the best versions of themselves. Days at camp are filled with boat rides under the blazing sun, hikes through dense forests, and intense sports games. Many campers also find the absence of technology to have a surprising appeal. Senior Blair Carter has been attending Camp Evergreen in Rabun County, Georgia, for six years. Not having her phone forces her to enjoy every moment and nurture new relationships. “You can love the place and things about it, but the people are what make camp so special,” said Carter.
As campers grow older, the magic turns into mentorship. High schoolers begin to step into the shoes of the role models they once admired. This summer, junior Jake Landt was given the opportunity to become a staff member at YMCA Camp High Harbour at Lake Burton for seven weeks. As a camper, Landt’s counselors made an incredible impact on him, so he hoped to leave the same mark on a new generation of campers. Of course, counselors are given much more freedom, ranging from having their phone to getting coffee in the dining hall. However, they also see an entirely different side of camp: a side filled with hard work and responsibility. “As a camper, you have so many people looking out for you, but the roles reverse as a counselor, and you become the one looking out for everyone,” said Landt. “Camp came with a lot more responsibilities this year, but bonding with each unique, individual camper is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
When one thinks of a sleepaway camp, places like South Africa, Thailand, and Fiji don’t typically come to mind. However, a summer camp called Moondance has become quite popular amongst the NAHS population. Moondance gives students the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in the world’s most jaw-dropping domestic and international destinations with a group of kids their age. This summer, sophomore Cora Butler ventured to Spain and Morocco, where she spent two weeks surfing the Mediterranean Sea, trekking the High Atlas Mountains, and wandering through Morocco’s vibrant markets. “Every year, I get super nervous about Moondance because everything about it is out of my comfort zone,” said Butler. “But then I end up having the best weeks of my life and meet the most amazing people.”
Spending one week, much less several weeks, away from home is not for everyone. However, those who do spend their summers at camp could rave about their experience for hours, as camp is the one place where people can be their true, authentic selves without the worries that consume their minds at home.
