Column: Just add water

A very long time ago, I embarked on a summer adventure. I was 11 years old.

I packed my suitcase with shorts, jeans, T-shirts and one faded yellow one-piece swimsuit. I boarded our maroon station wagon and sat on the hot vinyl back seat. A little more than an hour later, I exited the vehicle and took my first steps toward freedom.

I stood in the parking lot with hundreds of other girls and their parents. There, atop a gigantic hill, I took in the view of my home for the next week. There were rustic cabins and large tents, paths that led into a thick forest, a campfire ring and a large A-shaped building. I breathed in the pine-scented air, thinking it smelled like endless possibilities.

This began my love of summer camp.

I don't remember every single detail of those hot July days, but I do remember that I took performance arts classes that week. I spent hours rehearsing for a play in which I was cast as a boy with just one line. It didn't matter to me. I was just glad to be on stage, pursuing my dream.

I made a best friend that week: Wendy Pipe. I remember that she told me that if she'd been born a boy, her parents would've named her Rusty.

Those glorious seven days were filled with camp food -- good and bad -- campfires, mosquitoes, crafts and a lot of sing-a-longs.

On Saturday morning, I packed up my shorts, jeans, T-shirts and faded yellow one-piece swimsuit. I hopped onto the vinyl back seat of my parents' maroon station wagon and went home. My friends and I said our tearful goodbyes that day and swore we'd stay in touch.

Earlier this summer, my 9-year-old daughter, Madison, packed her suitcase with shorts, jeans, T-shirts and her favorite pink and black swimsuit. She hopped into the back seat of our tan truck and my husband took her to 4-H camp.

This camp offered more than tents and rustic cabins. Madison lucked out and stayed in a hotel-style room, complete with personal bathroom. She spent her week painting, maneuvering obstacle courses and learning performance arts. Her week was filled with camp food -- good and bad -- campfires, mosquitoes, crafts and a lot of sing-a-longs.

I'm happy to report that some things never change.