As a 4-year summer staff member of Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, I have seen firsthand the magic that Pretty Lake can create for a child. Every day that I work at Pretty Lake, I hear the deepest of laughs, see the brightest of smiles, and see learning and growth take place. If I did not see these things, I would not come back year after year.

When I teach swim lessons and see a camper's eyes light up as they master a swimming stroke that they had been working on, I know how powerful the Pretty Lake experience is. When the kids thank me for telling them bedtime stories and ask me to tell them more, I know that Pretty Lake is successful in carrying out its mission.

I still keep in touch with campers from my first 2 years at camp. Their letters are sprinkled with their passion for Pretty Lake. They mention over and over how much they loved their time at Pretty Lake. One of the campers frequently expresses interest in someday working at PLVC. If she is as lucky as me and gets the chance to work at Pretty Lake, I know that she will pass that passion on to another generation of campers.

Recently, I ran into a camper. She dashed over to me to give me a hug. "Miss Kenzie, Miss Kenzie," she said, her words going a bazillion miles a minute. "Remember when we won the Golden Toilet Seat for having the cleanest cabin? Remember when we went on that boat ride? Remember when you taught me how to swim like a dolphin? Remember when we sang songs during that thunderstorm?" She said this all in one breath. She stopped, finally took another breath, hugged me again, a little tighter this time, and looked up at me. "That was so much fun. I want to come back this year."

Sometimes, I talk to parents of campers who remember fondly the days when they attended Pretty Lake. They ask me if certain stories or traditions are still going strong. When I nod affirmatively, they smile down at their child and know that their child will have a lot of stories to tell when they come home. Times like these make me feel particularly lucky that I am a part of something so wonderful.

I can say without any hesitation that Pretty Lake is my favorite place in the world. Never before have I seen such magic occur all in one place. Nothing compares. When I come back to visit, the second I see the wooden 'Pretty Lake Vacation Camp' sign hanging overhead, memories of the campers' belly laughs, games and silly camp songs flood my mind. As I step out of the car and breathe in the clean Pretty Lake air, even more memories; memories of kids searching for tree frogs, memories of huge, unpretentious, light-up-their-whole-face smiles, and talent shows where kids push past their fears and courageously perform beautiful songs, fill my mind. And I know... I just know... that I am in the place where I feel most at home. I know that I am not alone in this feeling; many campers feel the same way. Campers know right away that they are in a caring and nurturing environment and that they can come to their counselors if they need anything at all. They know right away that their safety is important and that there are people who care about them. They know that they are encouraged to try new things and to make new friends. As the campers get on the buses to head home, some have told me that their week at camp had been the best week of their lives and that they can't wait to come back. I have seen self-esteems rise and I have seen initially shy campers come out of their shells. Camp is like home to so many kids.

We would not be able to give these experiences to the kids without the financial help from generous individuals and organizations. Please consider adopting a camper so that a child can learn new things, be in nature, be loved, play games, and have a week to be a child.