I learned this and so much more while in the company of My Fellow Campers. I was nervous at first about the kinds of kids I was going to be spending the week with, but I was in for a pleasant surprise. I found myself surrounded by some of the most extraordinary, intelligent, and insightful youth I have ever been fortunate enough to meet. These weren�t lazy teenagers; these were highly motivated individuals, and possessors of strong character and high ideals. I developed admiration for my fellow campers, and I built valuable friendships. I think I have an especially strong bond with the girls I shared a cabin with. After spending a week in such close quarters with a group of people, you get to know them pretty intimately. For example, I could tell you all of the young ladies in my cabin who snore in their sleep. I won�t mention any names, though, because I don�t want to lose any of the friends I made. After nights of staying up late talking, I discovered poets, writers, artists, and musicians in my cabin. It was a joy to get to know each of them. When I think of all the tremendous campers that I spent the week with, I am convinced that there is still hope for my generation. I can look at these capable youth, and be confident in the future of this country.
But above everything else, what made Robert Welch Youth camp such a priceless experience for me, were the teachers and counselors there. It didn�t take me more than a day to realize that I was under the instruction of the most incredible people I have ever met. I developed an instant respect for each of the counselors. After the first class, I was so impressed that I couldn�t wait for the next one, and each day I would look forward to the day�s classes with increasing anticipation. I was so excited to hear each new nugget of information, and I hoarded their words like gold. But it wasn�t just the content of the classes that inspired me; it was the counselors themselves. I have an overwhelming admiration for them, and for what they do. They are the kind of people that I look up to, and who I would strive to be like. I would be proud if I could reflect just a fraction of their integrity and intelligence. Everything that the counselors did demonstrated a sincere care and concern for each of the campers. They were working to help us, and to give us the tools to build our futures with. Each counselor contributed so much to my experience at camp, and I can tell you that their cumulative effect on me was mind-blowing. I could not possibly thank any of them enough.
At the end of the week, when it was time for everyone to go home, there were lots of emotional goodbyes, and there were teenage girls sobbing everywhere. It was not a pretty sight. I�m not usually an overly emotional person, though, and I said goodbye to my friends and cabin-mates sadly, but dry-eyed. BUT, when I made the rounds to thank and say goodbye to all of the counselors, I surprised myself by bursting into a deluge of tears. It was a very sudden and violent outburst, and I think I may have scared a few people. But I was just so overwhelmed with gratitude for these people. They have given me so much, that I consider myself indebted to them for the rest of my life. I don�t think a single one of them could have realized the impact that they had on my life. The people of Robert Welch Youth, and of Robert Welch University, and of the John Birch Society represent the greatest asset that America has. To me, they represent the greatness of America.
