An Alaskan summer

This summer, I was lucky enough to spend nine-and-a-half weeks in Alaska, where I served as the media coordinator for a Catholic summer camp with three of my classmates and friends from UD. Going into the summer, I had no idea what to expect; all I knew was that my job was to take pictures and videos, and to manage the camp’s social media pages. I didn’t know where I would be staying or what the camp schedule looked like.

I especially didn’t know what a gift this summer would be and how it would change my life.

My days began at 7:50 a.m. with morning Mass. Then, our days were filled with  different activities, meals and sessions teaching the kids about the Catholic faith and how they are specifically chosen and loved by God. Most of my days ended around 11 p.m., and while that may sound exhausting, I could not have felt happier or more fulfilled. 

During training week, Saturdays (our one day off per week!), and our week off in the middle of the summer, we traveled around the state and went to so many amazing places. We camped in Denali National Park for a few days and were able to see Denali itself, despite the supposed 30% chance of actually seeing it. One of my favorite stops was Seward, a city on the Kenai peninsula. I loved the small coastal town feel. It was absolutely beautiful with the blue glacier water and surrounding mountains. We also had the gift of traveling with the priest who served with us at camp for six weeks, which meant we got to have Mass and Eucharistic Exposition anywhere we went, including the campsites and cabins where we stayed.

I could speak for hours of what an incredible experience this summer was and all of the fun and crazy things I did, (anyone who has spent any time with me since I came home can confirm — I am always talking about it). The community life and friendships that I experienced this summer were so beautiful and it was a blessing to be able to walk through something as exhausting as summer camp with a joyful team. I grew so much in living joyfully, freely and stepping outside of my comfort zone, particularly in the areas of loving and serving those around me.

I am definitely struggling to accept the 90-degree Ohio weather and humidity back on campus for the first weeks of classes, as opposed to the beautiful 60-degree temperatures I had all summer, but it’s been sweet to reunite with all of my friends and family back in Ohio. And the best part? I get to go back and do it all again next summer!