My place of importance is Kingsley Pines Camp. At Kingsley Pines I am free to be myself and try new things, and there is a real sense of responsibility that comes alongside the freedom of the environment. There are great new activities that I have learned how to do, great friends that I have made and I have matured significantly each of the three years that I have attended the camp.

The instant I get to camp I get a feeling of absolute joy. The fresh, pine tree smell hits you as the counselors (many returning) greet you and you say hello to your old friends that you had made in previous years. Then the nice breeze from the lake blows through the campground and through your hair. The feeling that I get is so sensational. I can not find a word that would satisfy the awesome sensation of this place where you can be totally relaxed and have so much fun that I can not believe that I am awake (not dreaming). If I was to be asked what the one thing that I disliked about camp the most was, I would be completely stumped because to me it is as perfect as it gets and there is nothing to complain about.

At camp I mature each year because of the responsibility that comes with the amount of freedom afforded us. The counselors and kids are so nice; they do everything to make everyone feel at home. The very first day I arrived was three years ago when I was eleven, and my cousin Danny joined me. I immediately felt at home and I knew it was the right place for me. I never once was afraid to be myself and involve myself with people that I had never met before and activities that I had never done before. The best thing about Kingsley Pines Camp is that no one judges or discourages you! Everyone cheers you on or helps you if the activity is new to you. If you have a problem you can confide in your friends or your counselors or anyone at the camp to help, talk, solve a problem or be there when you need them.

Everyone at the camp is always nice, respectable and funny (usually). The camp is co-ed so you can make friends from both genders and we have dances every Saturday. It is so easy to adapt to the environment and make good friends that you stay in touch with them for years to come. Everyone is so accepting, which makes the camp so appealing on so many levels. Each year you can go back and make new friends and hang out with your old friends. You feel at peace instantly.

There are kids from all over the world that attend this camp. The camp is multi-racial and multi cultural. I met many kids from Massachusetts, other areas of the United States, France, Mexico, England, Ireland, Italy, China, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. No one cares where you are from or what religion you are. Everyone is able to attend and no one is left out, even if there is a language barrier.

The camp is located in Raymond, Maine. There is a lake named Panther Pond which the camp is located along and there are many trees and plants surrounding the camp. There is always a slight breeze coming off the water and through the trees. The environment is peaceful and relaxing. There is a rest period every day, nice people, and good food. The climate varies from sunny to rainy. For the majority of the time it is sunny and absolutely beautiful. Sometimes it rains hard but it is okay because there are always activities to do rain or shine. There are so many activities that you can choose to do every weekday. There is an activity for every one to do. Some of the activities are:

Windsurfing (my personal favorite)
Waterskiing
Wake boarding
Sailing
Kayaking
Canoeing
Art, Ceramics
Drama
Photography
Nature
Ropes course
Basketball
Ultimate Frisbee
Swimming
Baseball
Cricket
Soccer
Tennis
Rock climbing
Mountain biking
Woodworking
Camp craft
Dance

There is always something enjoyable to do, even in the rain. Every night there is an activity that you do with your cabin mates. Some examples are campfire, roasting smores, council fire, cabin night, and the weekly dance which are all fun activities. No one is ever bored because of all the activities, such as:

Wake up
Breakfast
Camp cleanup
Cabin cleanup
1st activity
2nd activity
3rd activity
Lunch
Siesta (break time in the cabin)
4th activity
Snack
5th activity
Free time
Dinner
Free time
Evening activity
Half hour of time to get showered and ready for bed
Lights out

Even though the schedule looks cramped, it is so much fun. Every day is a good day. When you are too old to attend as a camper (16) you can become a L.I.T (leader in training) and then a counselor. I want to involved with the camp for many more years. This place has shaped me as a young adult and matured me dramatically over the years I have attended. I love being there. This is my favorite place and my place of importance.