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Tiana and Cami

Tiana's Story

If you were to tell someone one thing about Outpost, it would be...
...that Outpost is like a second home to me. I have gone to Outpost since I was five, and have loved it since the first day of camp. Now that I have been a JC for two summers, I still love it just as much as when I was a little kid. Over the years at Outpost, I have become friends with some of the counselors and directors that return to Outpost every year. I look forward to Outpost every summer, and it is one of my favorite places.

Tiana as a Senior Outpost camper, rappelling at Mission Gorge

The thing I most look forward to each summer is...
...simply coming to Outpost. I was always excited to see my counselors from previous years, and do all the fun Outpost activities. Now as a counselor, I look forward to seeing all of my friends who work at Outpost, seeing my previous campers, and being in the fun environment. Because of Outpost, I have gotten a lot more comfortable speaking in front of many people, and also it has given me the chance to improve my leadership skills every year. Even though I have many more responsibilities as a counselor than a camper, I still have just as much fun as I did when I was younger.

The moment that made me smile was...
...the last day of Winter Camp when one of the five year old campers from my group needed help bowling. At the beginning of the field trip, the camper was really sad and almost in tears because he didn't know how to bowl. So, I told him that I'd help him out and teach him how to bowl. After a few tries, the camper told me that he could bowl on his own now. I smiled because I knew that I had helped a camper achieve something that he didn't know how to do. He was happy and had a fun time on the field trip.

My most memorable group was...
...the first grade Fitness Phenoms because the campers in that group were all so creative and imaginative while playing in the forts. They tried to build hideouts and created a pretend rope swing (which they didn't really use), and other toys from ordinary sticks. We also had a balloon which they named Mr. Friday. When he deflated, they wanted to have a funeral for him. All of the campers participated in all of the games and had so much fun at camp, and also made new friends.

One of the coolest things about working at Outpost was...
...being able to work while having so much fun singing, playing games, and playing in the forts with your groups. Also, the Outpost environment is different than any other camp that I have been to. Everyone has a positive attitude and is always playing games or just acting crazy. Counselors can have a huge impact on the campers and the Outpost environment. I learned that when the counselors are playing the games, singing, etc., the campers will follow the counselors and also have more fun playing the games. I have made so many friends from being at Outpost both as a camper and a counselor, and I look forward to Outpost every summer.

Cami's Story

If you were to tell someone one thing about Outpost, it would be...
...that everyone is so nice, including counselors, JCs, directors, etc. They all have imaginative and creative minds and are there to support you through any problems you have during camp.

My favorite part of campfire is...
...getting to see all of the groups, find out how their day was, and watch the skit or song that they want to present to us. I had fun doing all the silly skits and songs too. One summer, Stuart, and Evan did a skit called Vern. Stuart was the magician while Evan was Vern. It was REALLY funny and made everyone laugh.

The one thing I will never forget about Outpost is...
...how loud you can be. Usually, at "regular" summer or winter camps you can't be as loud or as crazy as you want, but at Outpost you definitely can. Also, all the adventures you go on are great, as well as hanging out in the forts, and a lot of other fun stuff.

Cami as a Senior Outpost camper, with her friends at rockclimbing

The thing I most look forward to each summer is...
...seeing all the counselors, JCs, etc and all of the returning friends you made from previous years. I also look forward to going on adventures. Now, being in senior outpost, I look forward to getting to explore (rock climbing, sailing, etc.). Every year I love getting on the vans and remembering the very first year that I went to Outpost.

Finally, some responses from Cami and Tiana's mom - Sarah...

The most impressive thing about Outpost from a parent's perspective is...
...how well the camp is run and that even though it gets bigger every year, it's very much a family environment where everyone feels safe and has a great time.

When I talk to other parents about Outpost, I tell them...
...it's the best camp in San Diego! I tell them that it's like traditional sleep-away camp without the sleep-away part. Also, I describe how much fun my kids have had over all the years they've attended.

I return to Outpost because...
...my kids have had such a great time over the years, they have learned to be strong, caring, and independent individuals, and have had amazing experiences.