During my time as a counselor, I began my college career at the University of Pittsburgh. While attending college, I was able to spend three summers working as the head of the archery department. Upon approaching my senior year at Pitt, I found myself in a bind. I wanted to go back to camp and finish out my time with some of my best friends, however I had an apartment that I could not sublet for the summer. I had to make the difficult decision to not return to Nyoda for the summer and to stay in Pittsburgh. This would begin the start of my three years permanently living 6 hours away from camp.

After graduation, I decided to complete a two-year Master’s program in Nutrition. During that time, I lived year round in Pittsburgh with trips home for holidays or special occasions. Through it all, the toughest season was always summer. I longed to be at camp with my closest friends, planning evening activities and singing through meals. While I was able to make trips back to Cozy Lake Road during those summers to help with team shows and cabarets, it was never the same.

Once I completed my grad program and passed my boards, I left Pittsburgh and made the trek back to New Jersey to move in with my parents while the job hunt began. During this time, I did not have much of a social life. All of my high school friends had moved out of town, my college friends were in Pittsburgh, and my grad friends were spread near and far. Deep down, I knew there was one group I could count on: my camp girls. From the first Winter Nyoda Love Fest in Manhattan, I knew I was no longer alone. Nyoda girls of all ages (well 21 and over) were together, celebrating our common love for a place that is so close to all of our hearts.

From then on, our group of camp girls makes it a point to get together every couple of months to catch up and reconnect. Whether its for a dinner or just a round of drinks, each time feels as if no time has passed from the previous get together. Throughout the years and our many get togethers, our group has expanded to include girls that were even my campers at one point in time! This group keeps me together, is my sounding board, and the band of orange and gray around my heart binding me to Nyoda, always.