Teens are our oldest division here at The Heart. They are 15 and 16 years old. In my four years of being at The Heart, I had Teen tepees both terms last year, and let me say to you that it was an amazing experience!
But what is it like? It is like living with girls that are your little sisters. These girls are the role models of camp. All of the younger girls see them as super heroes; they have been at camp for so long that they know everything about camp. Heart O’ the Hills is their second home, and they have so much love for their friends and tribes that they never want to leave.
I had the best time living with them even though they have lots of emotions going in on. At this age they have the opportunity to run for Chieftain (which is the leader of the tribe, Pawnee or Shawnee). For the 16-year-olds, it is their last year so it gets very emotional for them because some of them have been there since they were five years old. They don´t want to leave, it´s going to be their last of everything, last war canoe, last tribe hill, last dance with Stewart, last month with their best friends…!
We love our Teens!
When it was my first year at The Heart, I thought that age group was very difficult to handle because they are teenagers, but this year in First Term, I had the opportunity to be with girls that I had last year, when they were Seniors, and in Second Term, I had the 16-year-olds that I had known since they were 11. I just loved it, because they are so caring and loving, they are super independent, you don´t have to remind them that they have to take a shower or make their beds, you have real conversations with them, they have so much energy that you are never bored! I just loved being surrounded by their energy and good attitudes every day.
To me they are role models because these girls have so much respect for camp and their fellow friends that they teach you something new every day.
The whole month is full of activities and duties, but every day is a new experience and a new day full of joy. As a Teen counselor, I had one of the best summers of my life. I had the opportunity to work with wonderful colleagues who helped me with the girls and were always there to support me. I am very thankful to my co-counselors, Phoebe Frank, Steph Hodgkinson and Katie Louise Clarke, who made this summer unforgettable.
Being in a Teen tepee it the most fun thing ever because you have the chance to do spa nights, tell fun stories about something that happened in your day, create fun pizza cheers, help the girls with Teen-led Worship, where they say a speech about how thankful they are to camp and to their friends, go to a fancy dinner and see all the girls getting ready for this special night. Every day is just a magical day.
After spending two months of my life living with Teens, I cannot be more thankful to Heart O´ the Hills that has taught these girls to be caring, lovely, strong, and help them to be leaders and be determined in what they want in life.
Comanche Trace with our Teens!
I had the most wonderful four summers of my life being at The Heart and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It has become my second home and the friendships that I had made are so special and unbreakable that I know they will last forever
Being a counselor in a Teen cabin is just a wonderful and emotional experience that I could not let go. It was one of my best summer because of these girls, they have become my best friends, my little sisters and my children.
Love,
Evelyn Cabrera
Teen counselor of Adobe 1 and Adobe 2
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