My bung, Tiamalia 18, has had reunions for the past three years. When you think of your average reunion, you can usually imagine what it would look like. But with 15 girls and the bond that we have, there is so much love and camp spirit in the air that it almost feels like we are back at Nyoda. Everyone is laughing, singing, dancing, and sharing all their favorite camp memories. When we’re together, we finally feel like we are home again. Being with Nyoda girls gives you a different feeling than anyone else in the world can. There is no awkward phase unlike when you meet up with old friends. The moment you walk in, you pick up right where you left off.

Being with your camp friends, gives you the security to be your true self. You let down all the masks you might have had. These reunions are a breath of fresh air. You can share everything that’s on your mind in a no judgement zone. You can get all the advice you need and you know the people who really care about you are listening to you. Our first two years having these reunions, one or two people couldn’t come, but this year was different; all 15 of us were there. We all made sacrifices to be together, but the payoff was worth it. Late at night we had our own goodnight circle, just like at camp. All of us value goodnight circle and the peace it brings, so we wanted to recreate it.

Keeping in touch after Tiamalia is something we have always wanted to do. The bonds we have are unbreakable and we want to keep it that way. I feel comfortable going up to every girl in my bung with anything; we are so close. We thought having a reunion after Tiamalia would be great for us to catch up and make sure we are staying updated on each other’s lives. We have enjoyed the reunions so much we plan to have more in the future. You simply have a different bond with girls you have lived with for six weeks than you do just one of your home friends. We have been with them through their best and worst times and can got to know each others true self. It is such a pure friendship that starts out in a bung filled with bunk beds, and turns into something you can’t live without. I value camp friends more than anything and I never want to lose that.