Grit: perseverance and passion for long-term goals; determination and resolve.
***Congratulations to BAILEY HULL, our TRUE GRIT contest winner!***
Bailey will be receiving a 2013 Burgess & Hayward hoodie!
And, thank you all for your heartfelt submissions – you will be entered into our 2013 CAMP CONTEST RAFFLE, for a chance to win a 2013 Burgess & Hayward t-shirt!
Grit is the wild push that encourages you to go above and beyond your limits, that little “why not?” in the back of your head. It’s is the courage to go out into the world, the courage to meet new people, to live rather than exist. Grit is getting up at six in the morning to scream your heart out in your bathing suit with people you’ve just met, and yet you feel like you’ve known your entire life. It’s the ecstasy of sailing off of a platform high in the air, and the knowledge that will be at least one daddy longlegs in your shower, and the not-so-long trek into the woods for a night under the clear summer sky. Grit is throwing yourself into new situations, trying new things, and finding new ways to love life. The scent of paint and clay and half-dried out markers at Pam’s Place and the sound of forks skyrocketing off tables and voices echoing against the walls during meals that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Grit is love. Grit is passion. Grit is courage. Grit is born at camp.
-Bailey Hull
True grit is an unstoppable spirit of determination, joy, courage, and true character. Camps Hayward and Burgess are one of the very few places on earth that can teach you true grit. With a judge free zone where I can be myself and be completely accepted for who I am it’s impossible to not feel instantly at home! I have loved every summer that I have gone to camp and I have met some girls with who I know our friendships will last a life time. All year round I can never seem to get the camp songs out of my head and I am constantly reminded of the values that Ive learned at camp. If I had never gone to Camp Hayward I would have never had so many amazing experiences, met the most incredible people from all over the world and I would have never learned the true meaning of grit.
-Erin McCarthy
Perseverance, determination, passion. This is the meaning of true grit, and these are all things I learned at camp. Camp taught me to never give up, and to keep trying until you get it right. Whether it be your first time “free-falling” on the high ropes zip-line, learning a new skill at an interest group, trying desperately to say grace before dinner, or so much more, the lessons I’ve learned about grit at camp has stuck with me everyday since my very first session. No matter what challenge I face in life, camp has taught me there will always be loving, caring people around to help, and that I can overcome this challenge. Without the experiences I gained from being at camp, I would never have learned true grit, and I would not be who I am today. I know that the lessons I learned at Camp Hayward will stay with me through the rest of my life, and no matter how far I go from this home, the wonderful friends, true grit, and amazing memories I gained will always remain in my heart.
-Alex Kew
What’s grit? True grit is the passion and perseverance that I have learned from camp. There are so many opportunities that camp gave me to fulfill so many accomplishments, which taught me that if you set your mind to it, anything is possible with some determination and devotion. Along with learning that I can be whoever I want and can achieve whatever I set my mind to, I had the most amazing people surrounding by me lifting me up when I fell and encouraging me to go on when things got tough. Even after camp I can still rely on these amazing friends that are More like sisters. I am so thankful that I have camp I teach me about all the little pleasures and little life lessons there are, especially true grit.
-Jessie Doyle
Grit: Spirit, guts and courage. Grit is something everyone needs in life. I for sure learned my style of grit from camp. There is a special environment that only camp will give you. One that, no matter what you’re wearing, who you are friends with, or where you are from, will give you comfort and push you to try your best. Being at camp, you are sucked into this environment and you learn how to give your all to everything you do. At camp I was taught that if I have a positive attitude towards every little activity, I am much more likely to have fun and succeed. Camp has guided me to be able to find a passion in something I may not have tried before. No one judges at camp. Everyone who has experienced the environment that camp gives you, has learned that taking a risk is the best way to find your passion. I’ve always been told “If you never try it, you will never know if you like it.” What better place to do that then camp? I have truly changed because of the people I’ve met, the risks I’ve taken and the lessons I’ve learned; spirit, guts and courage.
-Camille Newsom
Camp has helped me to develop grit in every sense of the word. Somewhere between the late night cabin chats and Douse the Fire, I discovered myself. Camp helped me to redefine my comfort zone, develop confidence, and be myself. This past summer I signed up for Dance as my interest group and I was really excited when we finished choreographing our dance. My feelings of excitement soon transformed into feelings of nervousness when I found out we would be performing our dance at the barbecue on co-ed day/night! I was terrified. I looked out at all the people but the only people I really noticed were my “Fine Pine Ladies.” They were all cheering me on and when I saw them I danced as if it were just one of our usual dance parties back in the cabin. When we finished they all stood up and cheered my nickname. (Barb/Streis!!) It made me so happy and made me realize there is nothing to fear. I am constantly trying to integrate the values and skills I gained at camp into my daily life. Whenever I have to do a presentation in school I try to imagine my Fine Pine Ladies are there to cheer me on and it always makes me feel better. Of the 5,721 days I have been alive, I have spent 79 days at camp; that’s a mere 1.4% percent of my life. However if it wasn’t for that small fraction of my life I spent at camp, the rest of my life would be completely different because I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I truly believe if it were not for camp I would lack a “firmness of character and indomitable spirt.” Camp has given me my indomitable spirt and for this I will be forever grateful.
-Courtney Loughlin
I learned grit at camp. At camp, you are completely surrounded by amazing people who will love you and support you no matter what. Because of this, camp has become my second family, my home away from home. My second family has taught me grit because they’ve taught me to try my hardest and persevere in whatever I do. They’ve taught me that you have to take chances and risks to find out what you are passionate about. And they’ve taught me not be afraid to make mistakes because no matter what I do, my second family will love me and always be there for me. But most importantly, Camp has taught me that by trying my hardest and having determination I can achieve anything. I learned grit at camp, and this determination and passion has shaped me into the person I am today.
– Lilly King
I learned grit and camp because camp has taught me to never give up. I learned that when I try my hardest I feel good about myself and others are proud of me. I love coming home and telling my friends and family all the stories about what I have accomplished such as my passion to be a photographer, making over 100 new friends, and learning how to sail. Without the grit and determination I got at camp, I wouldn’t have these stories to tell.
– Jess Ashe
