Camp Counselor in 2000

I loved being around great people doing great things. We weren’t just working; we were growing together, encouraged to help each other become better versions of ourselves.

A career (*your work*) can be an uplifting atmosphere, with authentic teams – a healthy workplace—one that feels like this… Work is meant to be rewarding, empowering, confidence building if you choose it, design it, create it, sustain it, invest in it, and own it. When it becomes oppressive, it’s time to heal the system.

Right after high school, I worked at a camp as a counselor. In hindsight, as much as the camp was designed for the kids—4th to 6th graders—I wonder if the real investment was in us, the counselors and support staff. Looking back, it feels like that must have been intentional, woven into the very design of the place.

They genuinely cared about us. We were encouraged to write notes of gratitude and leave them in each other’s boxes. We were given time for quiet reflection, space to process and recharge. There were moments to align around a common goal—one that felt real and authentic. We were allowed to have fun, and we celebrated together, whether it was through ice cream party nights or simply sharing the joy of camp life. Some of us made lifelong friends.

My camp name was Ezra. My closest friend, Will, was called “Cougar.” There was “Angel” (Jen), “Jedidiah” (Jesse), and everyone else! We worked hard, but we also laughed hard. We tackled challenges together, pushed ourselves, and found joy in sharing what camp had to offer. It wasn’t just a job. It was a place where we belonged.