My last year as camper was absolutely amazing and the best yet! I love all the amazing people I go to camp with, they are like a second family to me. Because of them, my camp experience has been truly amazing. So thankful for the people who help put this whole thing together for us year after year. This was my fourth year at camp and I have enjoyed every bit of it. I will cherish all the memories I have made over the years. And I can’t wait to come back as an LIT!
Category: Camp Independent Firefly
Camp Independent Firefly ’17
Camp this year was so amazing! It was my third year going to CIF and I honestly think this was the best year for me. I am so thankful to the people put this on and make all the things we get to do possible. I am so many amazing friends this year and got to see some old friends and counselors. I am kinda sad that I am graduating next year, but I definitely want to be an LIT.
Again thank you to everyone who made this possible! I had so much fun this year and its thanks to so many amazing people!
Coming to the End
It seems as if this school year has come to an end very quickly. This year I struggled a bit in the beginning, but I have almost made it through. I have overcome and accomplished so much this year, it is amazing. I am so proud of myself for making it this far! It has been a pretty good year…. I thank all my teachers for working with me. I thank them for coming to school everyday and teaching me new things. I thank them for their patience. I can’t wait to see what next year holds for me. We have less than a month less including exams! I can’t believe it almost over! I am in disbelief that I will be a Junior in high school next school year. I will also be 17 in October. Where has the time gone? It is crazy how time flies….
Although, I am very excited to be going to camp when school ends … I didn’t go last year due having my shoulder replaced. I took that time to heal and rest. This year I am back in action and ready to go to camp.
Camp Independent Firefly
August 11 – 15 my siblings and I attended Camp Independent Firefly, thanks to Candlelighters! We drove up to Big Bear, such a beautiful place! (Picture: Me, My Sister, My Brother and his friend.)
This year was my sister and I’s second time and my brother first. We were known by our camp names. Me – Sweet Cheeks, my sister – Rose Blossom and my brother – Dino Jr. The YMCA staff and counselors were so inviting! As the buses drove up the drive way the sprayed them with water guns. We were greeted with excited screams and lots of beautiful and inviting smiles.
All of cabins were decorated in different Loony Toons theme and Disney and Pixar Movie themes. My cabin was Inside Out, my sisters was Lilo & Stitch, and my brothers was The Smurfs. 
We had a game night, we went zip lining, we also played Alpha Wolf, Catch the Cartoon at night and so much more! One of my favorites we did was, The Leap of Faith, where you climb up a tree and jump off a small ledge and try to catch a bar. Some people try to do push ups while on the bar others act like they are angelic angels as the are brought down. 
On our last day we had a dance/party! Chet Buchanan was there and a DJ. There were was a photo booth for all of us to capture the memories of 2015 Camp Independent Firefly. Popcorn, Cotton Candy and Snow Cones were some of the snacks there. Chet played a video made by the camera and video crew of all of the fun we had at camp and all of the memories.
I was so happy to see my siblings smiling and having so much fun! I want to thank Candlelighters and the YMCA staff for giving all of us an amazing experience. You guys gave us an experience we will never forget. A chance to forget and diseases, disorders, and illnesses that are going on in our lives. I can’t wait until next year!
A group photo of the whole camp
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