Dear You, From Campowerment

Hey Camper –

I see you.

I hear you.

I feel you.

You matter.

I’ve heard your roaring, side splitting, pee-in-your-pants laughter.

I’ve seen your resilience navigating some extremely painful times.

I’ve watched you help others in need, support them with your words, your hugs, your silence in just letting them be. And I’ve seen you receive that support right back.

I’ve spotted you standing on poles, dancing on stages, crying in the woods, dreaming on vision boards, exploring all the corners of your humanity.

I’ve witnessed you awkwardly walking through the gates of camp the 1^st day, wondering…what am I doing here?

And then, I’ve seen you leave camp with more light in your soul.

Mostly, I have seen you …. See yourSelf.  Your big, authentic, vulnerable, kind, compassionate, always healing, Capital “S” Self. 

And this I know – Now that you’ve seen her, yourSelf, you can never lose her. She is with you always.

Sometimes she will seem illusive, like she’s hiding, judging or falling apart. In that moment, that feels real – and that’s OK. She knows you’re a kind, worthy human, being your best in the moment. She’s just asking you for grace.  GIVE IT TO HER.

Sometimes she is right there, flying high, feeling full and the gratitude comes so easy. Receive it. Embrace it.  GIVE HER THAT JOY.

Everything you’ve seen and learned lives inside of you. It’s forever a part of who you are.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath in. I am always a thought and a feeling away.

You’re worthy and have inside everything you need to receive the beautiful life you are here for.

Shine your bright light and know, I love you always.

❤️, Campowerment      

In October, I had the opportunity to lead my last Campowerment.com members session — we called it Dear Campowerment, a journaling exercise.

Our sharing began with the concept of form vs. formless. 

We explored Campowerment as a REAL “thing.”  Not with a physical form like a person or an object. Yet equally powerful – a formless energy that we have a real and (for many) deep relationship. Then, we talked about creating and maintaining strong connections in our lives, what that looks like when “life life’s” and change is presented to us.

With both concepts top of mind, each camper penned 2 letters:

1. Titled “Dear Campowerment,” each camper wrote the first letter to camp. Sharing what was learned, growth, released, gratitude for the experience – whatever they wanted camp to know. 
2. The second letter was by Campowerment to each camper — written in the point of view of the entity that is/was/has been/will always be Campowerment. With the roles reversed, Campowerment expressed the same sentiments in return; what camp observed. 

As I was preparing the session, I had a lot of visceral feelings.

Campowerment had something to say to all that had received this experience. And the words just flowed. I was able to share the following letter on this final session and it was received with tears and gratitude.  And requests to share it. 

As a 12 -year Campowerment participant, I am privileged to have witnessed all this and more – for myself and so many. I invite you to write and share your own letters – to hold and create Campowerment in a new form (if it calls to you) — share with your dearest Campowerment friends (however you keep in touch), and/or share in your camp’s Facebook group, and/or share with me/the Campowerment Crew (by emailing [email protected])

I am grateful to all of you for sharing your authentic selves and allowing me to do the same.

– Meryl

P.S. I would love to read your letter if you’ll allow me to! If you will, click here & email it to me. Thank you!