Green Valley Campground - Becoming a Leader

This weekend felt different from other camping trips. We only spent one night at Green Valley Campground in Cuyamaca, but it gave me the chance to step into a leadership role. My cousins came along, and for one of them, it was her very first time camping. I wanted to make sure she felt comfortable and maybe even discovered how much fun being outdoors can be.

When we arrived, I showed my cousins how to set up the tent. The poles and rainfly can look confusing at first, but once we worked together, the pieces made sense. I explained how to keep gear organized and where to put sleeping bags so they stayed dry. It felt good to be the one guiding the process instead of just following directions.

During the afternoon, we walked around the campground and explored. The air smelled of pine and campfire smoke, and we found small animal tracks in the dirt. My cousins asked questions about the sounds in the forest and how to tell which way the trail went. I tried to answer everything I could, remembering what it felt like the first time I camped.

That night we roasted marshmallows by the fire. I showed them how to turn the stick slowly so the marshmallow browned instead of burning. Later, we looked up at the stars. Without city lights, the sky was crowded with constellations. I pointed out Orion’s Belt, and my cousins were surprised at how bright it looked.

Lying in the tent afterward, I realized I wasn’t just on another family trip. I was the one helping my cousins discover camping for the first time. That made me feel a little older, like I was passing on something important.