My parents sent me to camp for 6 weeks every summer. Years later I'm still friends with the people I met there.

• My parents sent me to summer camp from the ages of 7 to 17. 
• At first I struggled with sleep away camp, but as I got older I got to enjoy it more. 
• It help me develop independence and make new friends. 

From the ages of 7 to 17, my parents sent me to sleep-away camp for weeks. Starting at two weeks and quickly building up to six, I spent my summers away from home in Shelby, Michigan, on the sand dunes of Camp Miniwanca.