Summer Issue | Page 23

“I love coming back to the Mountain because my sister started coming when she was really young. And I was really inspired because she was always telling me about the great times that she had and all the fun things that happened and all the amazing counselors and other campers. I wanted to come and, when I did, I saw it was basically a home away from home with a new family and you get to do so many awesome fun things every single day.” Camp “Shrine Mont is the place where I know God best. It’s the place that I have community. It’s the place where I am accepted, challenged and loved. It’s the place where I can be myself. No one is too cool for anything. Everyone is here. Everyone is present. We don’t have to worry about anything happening back home or school or stress. We can all just be ourselves and live in the moment, enjoy each other and this beautiful place.” VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN / SUMMER 2016 “This is my first year. I actually saw heaven yesterday walking back from our pool party. There were big clouds in the sky. I imagine heaven as a big clouded space with beautiful colors. And I’ve only seen that at Shrine Mont.” “This is my first year and it’s pretty awesome. Counselors have taught me how to be very loving and kind to one another and how to respect yourself, basically. I’ve really learned about faith, like in Chaplain’s time. That really helps me build up my character and have faith in myself and in what I do.” 21