All You Need To Be Is You

Posted by Melissa Fitzgerald on June 18

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Imagine a place where you are loved just for being you. Imagine being in a community where you didn’t have to prove yourself to be valued, respected and included. Imagine all pressures disappearing and feeling truly free to let people see and know you, not just you - the best version of you. This place exists…it’s called Camp Highlander.

For over 60 years, campers and staff have shared countless stories of how camp gave them a gift that changed their life - uncondtional love. Their stories are usually similar in theme…they came to camp, shy, unsure or even against their will, and at Highlander they found their voice, their confidence and their joy. I never tire of these stories and all that they mean for the value of camp in the lives of our campers of staff.

Today I had the chance to visit with some campers and staff who were all in different situations, but their words were the same, “I’m so glad I’m here.” Whatever they are dealing with at home or school, they are grateful to have this mountain to escape and get back to the heart of who they are. We are so glad they are here and that Highlander is a source of love and support in their lives.

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Favorite Details of the Day

  • Reflect at the Rock: Mac talked about our lives being a reflection of ourselves - what you put into life is what you will get back. What you put into camp, you will get back in return.
  • Meals: Breakfast was homemade biscuits & gravy, sausage, eggs and fruit bar. Lunch was copycat Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, waffle fries and salad bar. Dinner was beef and broccoli, fried rice and egg rolls.
  • EP: Square Dance!
  • Special Events: Tonight we had candy and soda from Gus’s after camper’s choice sign-ups!
  • Weather: It rained off and on today, but luckily it didn’t affect our daily activities.
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Tonight’s evening program was Square Dance, an all time favorite for most campers and staff. I LOVE watching the square dance! As I sat in the gym tonight beaming from how much fun our campers were having, I wished I could broadcast their smiles for every parent, grandparent and friend of Highlander to see. So I decided to video the fun to make you smile too!

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About Melissa Fitzgerald

Melissa Fitzgerald

Melissa joined the Highlander family in 2002 and has served in a variety of roles, most recently becoming camp director in 2016 and camp owner in 2019. She lives on camp year-round with her husband (and fellow camp director/owner) Bryan, their rambunctious children - Charlie, Carter and Catherine - and their beloved family dogs, Roux & Lovey.