Make a Friend Day is February 12, which makes sense because February is known as the month of love. However, at Camp ASCCA, every day is Make a Friend Day! Camp ASCCA will never fail you when it comes to making new friends. I like to think of it as a fun challenge on the way back home to count how many friends I made while at camp for a week.
Make a Friend Day is important because having a friend plays a crucial part in our lives. Just having a friend can improve our health both mentally and emotionally. Friends will keep you from feeling very lonely, which is good for your health and well-being.
Keep in mind that humans are very social individuals, so we naturally want to increase our friend group if possible. Big events at Camp ASCCA, like concerts, dances, and the talent show, are the best times to make new friends because everyone from staff to campers will be there.
If you are new at camp and do not know where to start making friends, this method might help you get one or two. Always have a pencil and paper with you in case you want to stay in touch with them. After you see someone who may make a good friend, you can start off with a compliment about them.
Next, you can ask them about their interests to get to know them better. Then, at the end of the week before leaving, perhaps they will feel comfortable enough for you to ask them to exchange numbers to stay in touch. Of course, be respectful to their answer; some are told by their parents not to give out their number. I hope this approach helps you make friends both at Camp ASCCA and outside of camp as well.
It is unclear how Make a Friend Day started out, but many people believe it started in 2011 because of the digital age of electronic devices that are used for social media.
One of the ways to celebrate Make a Friend Day is by joining a group that has what you are interested in. For example, I joined a small bowling group for people with special needs in my area. We meet on Tuesday mornings, and the group has expanded a lot in the last few months. I have made a few more friends in that group. You can also volunteer in the community, such as at a food bank or animal shelter. I have also found a really good Bible study for special needs at a local church. Of course, stay connected to your old friends as well.
One Make a Friend Day’s goal is all about staying close with both old and new friends that you have in your life. I was lucky to have made a few friends at Camp ASCCA in my first year, way back in 2018. Some I still talk to today. I hope my method on how to talk to a camper or even a person outside of camp will make it easy for you. Here at Camp ASCCA, the friendships and memories you make with them will last a long time.
