Growing up in Venezuela, I was an introverted kid in a world that felt small and limiting. At school, I struggled to sit still for hours, confined to the same four walls day after day. At home, my freedom was even more restricted—Venezuela was (and still is) a dangerous place, and going outside wasn’t an option. I had no real independence, no space to explore or grow on my own terms. My parents were (and are) thankfully great adventurers, and I owe a lot of my love of nature to all the family trips we took to the amazon and beyond, but I was still not free to “roam”. Then, one summer, I landed at Camp Green Cove, and everything changed. I didn’t know it at the time, but that first summer would transform my life. For the first time, I woke up each morning with real freedom. I could decide what I wanted to do, whether it was climbing, kayaking, or horseback riding. I got to try new things, learn new skills, and see the direct rewards of my effort. It wasn’t just fun—it was empowering. Camp gave me something I had never experienced before: confidence in myself.
For Parents of Shy or Hesitant Kids
If you have a quiet, introverted child like I was, I understand how hard it can be to think about sending them away to camp. I’ll admit—I was nervous too. But here’s the thing about Camp Green Cove: it’s designed to let kids grow at their own pace. It’s not about being the loudest or the best at something; it’s about trying new things in a safe, supportive environment. For me, camp opened up a world of possibilities I didn’t even know existed. It wasn’t just about the activities (though I fell in love with plenty of those!). It was about discovering what I was capable of in a place where I was encouraged to explore, take risks, and succeed on my own terms.
Coming Back as a Counselor
After my first year of college, I was feeling a bit lost. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, and I missed the sense of purpose and freedom I felt at camp. So I decided to go back—not as a camper this time, but as a counselor. Coming back was the best decision I could have made. I spent the summer teaching younger campers the skills I had learned and loved as a kid, and watching them grow in confidence the same way I had years before. That experience turned into 10+ summers of returning to camp. Even now, I’ll find any excuse to go back—it’s still my summer home, a place where I feel grounded, connected, and free.
How Camp Shaped My Life
Camp Green Cove didn’t just change my summers; it changed my life. It was at camp that I discovered my love of horseback riding—a passion that has stayed with me for more than two decades. It was also where I first started climbing, an activity that eventually led me to meet my husband. We even got married in Hendersonville, near camp, because it felt like such a special place to us! Now, as a mom of two living in the U.S., I often dream about the day I’ll drop off my own kids at Camp Green Cove/ Mondamin. I want them to feel the same magic I did: the thrill of independence, the pride that comes from trying new things, and the joy of building lifelong friendships. (And let’s be honest—I daydream about sneaking back as a counselor, too!)
The Power of the Outdoors
Camp taught me so much more than how to climb a rock wall or paddle a canoe. It taught me how to believe in myself, how to push past my comfort zone, and how to find joy in the outdoors. Those lessons have stayed with me, and they’re a big part of why I started my company, Play Outside, with a mission to inspire families to spend more time outside together.
For Parents Who Are Hesitant
If you’re on the fence about sending your child to camp, I get it. It’s hard to imagine your shy or introverted kid thriving in a new environment. But I’m living proof that Camp Green Cove can be life-changing. Camp gave me the space to grow into myself, to feel confident in who I was, and to discover passions that shaped my entire life. It’s a gift I’ll always be grateful for—and one I can’t wait to pass on to my own kids someday.
About the Author
Adriana Tamayo is a lifelong adventurer, former Camp Green Cove camper and counselor, and founder of Play Outside, a kids outdoor apparel brand dedicated to inspiring families to connect with nature. She now lives in the U.S. with her husband and two children, dreaming of the day she can drop them off at Camp Green Cove.
