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Hello! My name is Stephen and I am very excited to be a part of Camp Augusta this year. I am from Denton, Texas, a college town North of Dallas. I will be 21 shortly before I head off to camp for what is sure to be a wonderful adventure. This will be my first summer as a counselor and I cannot wait for the fun and surprises that await all of us.
I have one sister, and we are very close. When we were younger, I would always try to drag her along on my adventures. There was a small wooded area behind our house that we spent hours wandering through. Along with our friends, we would make up our own games and, since she was older, she would usually decide the rules. I, being notoriously rebellious, never felt the need for rules and would find ways around them. You know, school is fun and all that, but playing outside was always much better!
Next year, I will be a senior at The University of Texas, Arlington. My main concentration is philosophy, with a minor in history. Philosophy is the love of knowledge, and I believe that it allows the student to approach a broad selection of material from a different perspective. Every day presents new challenges to ‘what I thought I knew’!
My next adventure will be, of course, Camp Augusta! Beyond that is somewhat uncertain. After graduation, I hope to find a spot in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program. JET brings graduates from all over the world to teach English for up to three years. If selected for this program, I hope to stay for the full term, giving me the opportunity to travel and learn throughout the country. Beyond that is even less certain! I have considered graduate school; perhaps a PhD in Philosophy? I am also interested in the Peace Corps and intend to apply at some point after school.
Music is one of my greatest passions. I began playing cello in the fifth grade, and still play today in my university’s orchestra. I am also a serious student of jazz bass, which I began playing in high school. Jazz is fun, but I like to ‘rock out’ too. Music is within everything; if you don’t believe me, consider this: Ask yourself to describe or just list words that come to mind when you think of ‘music’, and then do the same for ‘nature’. I have found the lists to be completely interchangeable. My love of nature should come as no surprise!
Recently, I have become addicted to the art of luthiery, the making of musical instruments. Since last summer, I have built three bass guitars, and have started work on four more! Making an instrument takes the same effort and patience that playing one does. It also allows me to put as much love into the instrument as I do into the music.
Another very integral aspect of my life comes from my devotion to the martial arts. I began training in Tae Kwon Do when I was in first grade, and am now studying Wing Chun Kung Fu and Aikido. The last thing on my mind is ‘fighting’. The martial arts have so much more to offer dedicated practitioners. Mastery is a lifelong pursuit that involves both physical and mental challenges.
I usually appear to be peaceful and inviting, but don’t let that fool you! I secretly enjoy a good debate and have been known to argue positions opposite of my own. This is all in good fun of course, as my friends and I like to keep each other on our toes. In any case, I’m sure it comes from my time with the debate team and other educational pursuits.
Some of my fondest memories come from my many camp experiences. There is a camp that is very special to me where I learned more about life in one week than in the 19 years before! Life changing experiences like this are common only to special camps, like Camp Augusta, and I am very lucky to be able to join all of you this summer. I am interested in working at a camp like this because it allows everyone to learn something new about themselves and our world. There is a surprise around every corner, a new puzzle to solve, or an obstacle that until a few days ago seemed too daunting to conquer. This is the best way to learn, and certainly the camp experience makes this fun as well.
Learning is a part of everything we do, and I love to experiment and figure things out. For example, I love to cook, and this ‘experimentation’ has led to some rather interesting meals… Laughing at the world is important, too, and I’m always eager to point out the funnier side. Most of all, I enjoy new experiences. A journey’s end can be very sad, but it always marks the beginning of a new one. I am very excited about meeting everyone and enjoying what makes Camp Augusta such a special place. I look forward to sharing my summer with all of you!
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