From 12 Years Old to CIT: A Camp New Heights Story

We met Alex in 2021 coming into the first summer since the inception of Covid-19. That summer came loaded with lots of obstacles like a new campus, huge growth (40+ kids per week vs. 25 in 2019), and kids being out and about with each other after a year of being isolated at home.

One wouldn't say Alex was shy, but she was cautious. She stepped into a camp world that was finding its feet in a new world post lockdown. Alex was quick to make friends, but what was even more evident is that Alex was never one to shy away from hard work and effort. She showed up to every class ready to go! From 2021-2025 this never ceased! Alex was a force in the weight room, on the field, etc... She exemplified the hard work and dedication it took to not only be successful, but to absolutely maximize her experience at camp.

When it came time for our CIT selection process this year, Alex was a no brainer. Any first-time camper looking to understand the magic of camp should ask Alex, because nobody has lived it more than her. We look forward to having her as a resource to all of our campers this summer.

But first, we wanted to hear from her about her experience as a Camp New Heights camper. Having attended 2021-2025, she has experienced so much at camp. So we asked her to share about her experience each year:

2021 (12 years old): In my first year of camp, I was very nervous at first because, of course, I was young and staying overnight at a camp that was states away from my home. But the minute I got to meet everyone, I knew I had found my place. I had never worked out and truly gotten out there in the sun before camp, so it was a very big adjustment. But with the help of staff, campers, and my roommate, I ended up having the best time of my life. I had found joy in myself that I never thought I would have found before. I started smiling more, being excited to go outside in the sun, and experienced so many different situations that it opened up my way of seeing the world today. 

2022 (13 years old): My second year at camp was definitely more eye-opening than the previous year. That year, I had met some of the greatest people, and I was able to watch some of my fellow campers from last year grow to be CIT's. One major thing that I learned from my second year at camp was what I would do if I were a leader. I saw my fellow campers who had turned into CIT's work, and I realized to myself that I would become a leader just to prove to campers what real leadership looks like. This was also the year that I found some of my favorite people ever. The staff that year was truly amazing, and I did have a lot of fun hanging out with all the counselors, and they also shaped how I would want to act as a leader later down the road. 

2023 (14 years old): My third year was crazy. I know it's not ideal to have a favorite year, but my third year was definitely my favorite. I remember so vividly one night, it was my roommate, our suitemate, and I in my room. This was such a small part of camp, but it had the biggest impact on me. We laughed and laughed like we had just figured out what laughing was. That night, the campers got sent to an early bedtime because we lost a bet with the counselors. Everyone was super upset that we lost, but once we got back to our room, I realized I was going to have the best time. We stayed up until about 11:30 pm laughing, talking, and truly getting to know each other. I had to lie down on the floor at one point because I was laughing so hard. It was those little moments that truly made camp, camp. The big fun activities show what camp is, but it is only the little things, like what I experienced, that truly express what camp is like. 

2024 (15 years old): My fourth year was definitely one to remember. Bean had just introduced Survivor to camp, and I was determined to win. Through multiple challenges and hard work, it came down to the final three contestants, myself, my now co-worker Mikey, and our camp nurse Kelsie. We had gone through the entire challenge, and each got in because we were the top three to finish a puzzle after doing a lap in the pool. Which I would really like to emphasize that trying to do a puzzle as you're dripping wet is insanely difficult. Luckily, I am amazing at puzzles and finished first, then Kelsie, then Mikey. Our final challenge was to publicly speak in front of the entire camp, and it was up to the other staff and campers to vote for who they wanted to win. Through a lot of support and Mikey being terrible at public speaking, I won the first-ever Camp New Heights Survivor of 2024. Survivor wasn't the only thing that made that year special; I also met my roommate (now one of my closest friends)  that year as well. Whose name is also Alex, we clicked immediately. Which, now, is extremely funny because she does not connect with people easily, ask anyone who's ever met her. We still talk to this day, every day. We have so much fun together, and it is all because of camp that I was able to meet her. 

2025 (16 years old): My final year as a camper was definitely the saddest and most joyful year so far. Sad because it was my last year as a camper, joyful because I was able to become a CIT the next year. I was finally able to experience what it was like to be one of the older kids at camp, and it was very interesting. I was able to look at the younger kids and remember exact moments from when I was their age at camp and watch them build their memories themselves. I'm going to go back to the little things that truly make camp, camp. Because this year, I was able to experience something with my roommate Alex that we still talk about today. During free time, the girl who stayed across the hall from us had been reprimanded and was sad about it. We knew we couldn't go talk to her while everyone was still up because the staff didn't want her to get overwhelmed by people. So we waited until after everyone had gone to sleep and knocked quietly while slowly entering the room. She was still upset, so Alex and I sat on her bed, making sure she was ok. We stayed in her room for only an hour, but in that hour, we were able to get her to calm down and even start laughing. We talked about the situation, were able to show her a different side of it, and let her talk to us about stories that made her happy. Within that small amount of time, we helped her cheer up, and she was ready for the next day. It's those small moments that really have the biggest impact on yourself and other campers.

2026 (17 years old): For this upcoming year, I will finally be a CIT for Camp New Heights. Something that I have been dreaming about since 2022, I am super excited about it, and can't wait to get on that plane and head over to my second home. I am hoping for lots of laughs, new memories, and friends that you will keep for a lifetime. Because even though every year has been so much fun and you feel like the next year can't be any better, it always is.