A summer to remember: Julia Houghton
Editor’s note: St. Paul teens will forever look back on the summer of 2020 as a time of navigating all sorts of new realities. This series features essays from St. Paul teenagers about what their summer adventures entailed.
Julia Houghton – Camp Shalom assistant counselor, back left in photo
I am at Camp Shalom this summer volunteering as an assistant counselor. Assistant counselors help make the week run smoothly and support the counselors in any way they can.
I wanted to work there this summer because as a kid it was always one of my favorite places to be during summer. Camp Shalom holds a special place in my heart and I want to help other kids have a great experience like I had the chance to do.
The most fun thing about working at camp is getting to meet so many great people.
It was amazing seeing the campers open up throughout the week. One of my favorite moments was when we had the chance to do the high ropes course which consists of climbing a tall rock wall then zip lining back down. A few of the girls were afraid to climb the wall but everyone was super encouraging. Every single camper in my cabin made it to the top of the wall and zip lined. Afterwards they all told me how much they enjoyed it and were glad they did it. The girls worked together to get over their fears and in the end they became closer as friends from the experience.
At camp my campers taught me the entire dance video to One Direction’s “Best Song Ever.” We ended up performing it in front of everyone at the end of the week.
Sue Grove
Julia, those camp memories are just the best. At age 75 I still have great memories of Girl Scout Camp – hiking in the woods, singing around the campfire, learning how to manage a canoe, and making lasting friendships . And those green shorts. I will never forget those forest green shorts! Thanks for sharing. Camp Shalom is a treasure!