Comfort Zone Camp

CZC. Those three letters mean so much to me. They have helped me thought the toughest times in my life. Today in class we had to share our essay topic on a group we belong to. I chose Comfort Zone Camp. As I was explaining to the class what it is and why it is my topic the teacher asked me to go more detail about a misconception about the group. Grief itself is a misconception. So many believe that there is only one way to grieve and only a certain ti

me period till you are supposed to be "over it". CZC breaks those misconceptions and lets you grieve at your own pace.

After class a girl came up to me and told me she lost her dad when she was 8 years old. She had never heard of this camp and wished she did at the time. I told her it was the same way for me. As we were walking I told her about some of my life-changing experiences at camp and she was getting excited. I gave her the website and she gave me a hug. I was very nervous to share my topic with the class, I didn't think people would understand. Instead, I found someone who wants to join.

The other day I was in my dorm room reading a facebook post that Jen posted. The question was: What is your favorite picture of yourself. I immediately looked up at my wall that is covered with about 200+ photos of me and my friends. Looking around I see a lot of pictures that I love, but I didn't know which one was my favorite. Then all of a sudden I found it.

It is me at CZC in VA. I was the green team leader. But this picture is more than just me being a leader of my favorite color. It's about who I really am. I look awful in this picture, I have green paint dripping down my face and sweat stains soaking my shirt, yet this is my favorite picture of myself. It shows me at a time where I really didn't know what I was doing; I was flying by the seat of my pants. To be the green team leader I was asked to do only one thing: keep the energy level high in a postitive manner. I would like to think I did just that and maybe even more.

This video that I have also attached shows me in action as a team leader. A little background to set this up: there were contests between the different colored teams this one shows the impersonation contest. This little girl volunteered herself to perform the impersonation part, but she wouldn't tell anyone what she was doing. She wanted me to come up with her and as I am standing in-front of the whole camp with her the pressure began to build. I didn't think she was going to be able to do it. Did she perform? Well, watch and find out!

I haven't written in a long time, but today was just such an excellent day I just had to share it with the world, or whoever is reading this. I want to take a moment to thank Comfort Zone Camp for everything they do for grieving children all around the world because it is making a difference. To Lynne Hughes I want to commend her on being brave through her own struggle and turning it around into something life-changing.

The world can be a truly wonderful place.

For more information on Comfort Zone Camp, please visit comfortzonecamp.org