An Analysis of the Experiences of Children from Foster Care in Florida

After a fourteen hour car ride, I finally see the sign in the distance, just a few more minutes till I can be back at the camp that has changed my life. This camp is named Long View Ranch and is located in the mountains of Mosheim, TN. Over the past eight years I have been a camper, but in the most recent three years I have been working as a junior counselor.
This place is a safe haven for anyone who has stayed there; it is a place free of judgment and full of love. I have witnessed many miracles here first hand. Seeing kids’ lives change in a matter of a week, is nothing short of spectacular. Some of the kids arrive from Florida’s foster care system, not having experienced a summer camp before, let alone seen a mountain. They always arrive timid and stick to the others that came with them, but by the end of the week they are laughing and beaming ear to ear, mingling with the other campers. Being a counselor to some of these kids is a truly humbling experience.

These kids that have come from foster care have experienced things that I could not have even imagined could happen to someone that is not even sixteen yet. Their lives have been nothing but one hardship after another. One girl that I had as a camper in my cabin, had been physically abused, from both her father and brother and grew up in fear of any male figure even if it was a boy younger than her. In hearing these stories I realize how lucky I am to have a place to live and a family that loves and supports me. Being able to care for them and show them that someone cares about them is the most rewarding thing about my job as a counselor.

Having spent the last eight summers there has had a big impact on my life. It has helped me learn to care for others and to be there and encourage them when they are discouraged. I see this camp as my second home and the people I have worked with as family now. It’s a mountain top experience where you can forget about the stresses of reality and be able to enjoy every second of the day, and the beautiful nature around you. Through the numerous summers spent there, I have been shaped into who I am now a strong independent woman who values helping others to the best of my abilities, and knows not to take what life I have for granted, because there will always be another worse off than myself. I have learned to stay optimistic, rather than dwell in the hardships through the stressful times that life sometimes consists of. Camp has also taught me how to work alongside thirty plus people of ranging personalities, giving me an experience that can help me later on in life. I hope to utilize these life lessons while going through college and onto life out of school.

Even though I am surrounded by beautiful landscape, and with what I consider now, to be a second family, the reason why this experience has been so pivotal is because I am part of a bigger picture being able to change kids’ lives and give them an “experience that lasts for the long view”.

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