Lifelong memories volunteering at camp
Over The Wall Camps are life-changing for our volunteers and campers. Volunteers experience their own life-long memories while creating mischief and magic for our campers. Many create scrapbooks and memory boxes to keep these memories close to their hearts and provide something wonderful to look back on while reflecting on their time at camp. Often included in their scrapbooks are ‘Warm Fuzzies’, notes volunteers write to one another and exchange at the end of camp to share appreciation, support and kind words — essentially it’s anything that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside!
After learning that keeping a scrapbook was so popular, we talked to some of our wonderful volunteers. Some of these volunteers have volunteered at camp for up to 14 years, and some used to be campers! Camp has become such an important part of their lives, and we’ve loved learning just how much it means to them. We wanted to share that with you, our families, and campers. Maybe it will inspire you to start your camp scrapbook or memory box to reflect on for years to come!
Tell us about your camp scrapbooks and memory keeping:
Mike: I have one scrapbook and a special place for my T-shirt from my first camp as a camper in 2002!
Kirsti: In my scrapbook, I keep my photos, warm fuzzies, and memories from all my camps in one place to look back on. Opening it always makes me smile!
Rebecca: I have put everything and anything from camp into my scrapbook! I started making it as a camper in 2012. I then continued to put every camp in until I became a volunteer and have carried on scrapbooking since. I’ve included photos, warm fuzzies, CDs of songs we made as a camper, friendship bracelets, bandanas, ID cards, a lanyard, reflections from the week, door signs, and so much more! If it sticks…it’s going in the book!
Fiona: At the first camp I went to, another volunteer shared their scrapbook with me which inspired me to start my own. It motivates me to return to camp each year by looking back on the fun memories and moments. I like to have all the volunteers’ names, which colour team I was on and our theme for the week. I also stick down all my warm fuzzies and any notes I’ve had from campers thanking us for creating such a fun week for them, which means a lot.
Emma: I regularly look back on my scrapbooking when I’ve had a bad day. I have had to make two scrapbooks as my first was full after camp 27! I keep a list of all the camps I’ve volunteered at and love sticking in warm fuzzies, photos, lanyards and exciting bits and pieces from each camp.
What are your favourite camp memories?
Emma: At my first camp, we supported a blue camper to conquer their fear of the high ropes and watched them succeed in climbing to the top. Many years later, I still have the privilege of watching the same camper come back year after year as a volunteer and continue to be such an inspiration!
Fiona: If I had to narrow it down, it would be singing at the top of our lungs all day and all week when I did my first camp with the Reds. Their enthusiasm and energy were unmatched. Also, helping a green camper swim a whole length of the swimming pool after being adamant that they wouldn’t be able to do it before jumping in. They were so proud, and I was so happy to share that moment with them.
Rebecca: There was once a boy at camp who loved musical theatre. We asked if he would sing for the team, but he was too embarrassed and thought everyone would laugh at him. On the last night of camp, in our final cabin chat, we played the instrumental of his favourite song, Ed Sheeran’s I See Fire, in the background, and he sang his heart out for us. It felt like time had stopped, and he just shone so bright! The room was silent when he finished, and he said, ‘I DID IT’! As you can imagine, we were blubbering messes, but I felt that he had achieved something extraordinary, and I hope he takes that courage and creativity with him. As a former camper, I know too well how much something like that can give you confidence and stay with you…especially as a sibling where you may need to fight more to shine.
Kirsti: There are so many to choose from – the constant laughter from the Orange team at my first camp, seeing our Purple Team spontaneously sing and cheer to help a camper jump from the top of the climbing ropes. Seeing the same Purple Team pulling together their stunning version of A Million Dreams for talent night. My experience of being a Team Leader to the most caring and kind young people I’ve ever met who presented me with my own set of Brilliance Beads on our last Cabin Chat!
Mike: There’s far too many to recall. But one of my favourites is watching campers grow in confidence with the support of their team. Especially on the climbing wall!
What Impact has camp had on your life?
Mike: Through camp, I have made some of my closest friends and speak to someone from Camp most days. It has also taught me the value of building people up and overcoming challenges instead of focusing on the negatives.
Kirsti: Camp has inspired and humbled me in so many ways. I have learned so much about myself and the incredible depth of kindness that humans can possess. I’ve met inspirational people, young and old, pushed my comfort zone over and over and grown as a person. I believe Camp has made me a better teacher, mother and person.
Fiona: Camp has had a monumental impact on my life, and being able to take little moments from camp and use it to cheer me up when everyday life gets a bit tough really makes all the difference. Whether thinking to myself, “What would I do in this situation at camp when I’m feeling low?” or reading back on my warm fuzzies to cheer me up. I also love incorporating cabin chat or other camp activities for work socials, as everyone always feels uplifted afterwards. I also can’t forget the incredible friends I have made and cherish greatly.
Emma: Volunteering at camp has completely changed my life. I am more confident and have made long-lasting friendships. Camp encouraged me to work with children, and I now work as a teacher. I wouldn’t be the same person had I not volunteered all those years ago!
Rebecca: Camp has had more of an impact on me than anyone will ever know. It’s changed my life. It gave me the identity of ‘Becca’, not a sibling of someone with an illness. Camp has given me so much confidence. I was a young girl who would have never spoken a word in front of more than five people, but now I am doing so much more than that. When I first volunteered at 18, I chose not to do my teaching qualification as I knew there was no way I could stand in front of a class. Six years later, I’m in my second year of teaching and loving every minute. Camp has made me who I am today. Camp holds a special place in my heart and always will.
Read more about Becca’s journey from camper to camp team leader.
Starting your own scrapbook
Feeling inspired to keep your own OTWC scrapbook? Here are some helpful tips to get you started!
1. Collect items from camp
Remember to keep the fun and sentimental items you get from camp so you have somewhere to start when you get home. Keeping your items (e.g., warm fuzzies, lanyards, craft activities) will remind you of the happy memories you made at camp, so why not put them in a scrapbook so they’re all in one place?
2. Keep it simple
Cutting and sticking is a great and simple way to assemble your scrapbook. You don’t have to be an artist! You can use fun stickers or washi tape to decorate pages without needing paint or pens. The best thing about making a camp scrapbook is that you get to decide what the pages look like!
3. Use dotted paper
If you want to include journaling in your scrapbook, a dot grip notebook makes laying everything out much easier. You can use the dots as a guide to write in straight lines or do some doodling!
4. Enjoy the process
Scrapbooking can be a great stress and anxiety reliever, as it promotes creativity and focus. As our volunteers have mentioned, it helps them look back on their camp memories when feeling low. Drawing, sketching, or even cutting and sticking can feel therapeutic! You could even use it to learn something new, like calligraphy!
5. Keep your scrapbook safe
Find a safe place to keep your scrapbook! Pick a place you know you can grab it quickly when you need a pick-me-up or want to share your wonderful camp memories with others.
