EPIC Voices: My First EPIC Event
By Beryl Rosenberg
The EPIC Fall Retreat was a day full of new connections and fresh ideas. This was my first time attending this annual event, and I was left with valuable insights into being a young professional in the camp industry.
Throughout the day, we had many networking opportunities, and I was able to meet people from a wide variety of camps and learn about their programs. In the morning, we were led through two professional development breakout sessions in which we conversed on a list of discussion topics. It was difficult to choose between the many notable options like camper care, staffing, and programming.
This retreat differs from other conferences because we also engaged in discussions about how to manage a leadership role as a young professional. In these sessions, I heard about how other people around my age spent their summers at camp while reflecting on my own summer.
Next, we learned about four different types of leaders. This part of the day was interesting as we discussed the strengths and weaknesses of our newly determined leadership styles.
To end the day, we of course had to do a fun camp activity – a high-spirited game of “Minute to Win It”. As we cheered for our new peers and came to a close on the day, I reflected on the importance of events like the EPIC Fall Retreat. It is not always easy to meet other people in the early stages of their camp careers, and the networking that EPIC provides is a unique benefit that cannot be found in many other professional settings.
I am looking forward to more learning and connections at future EPIC events this year!
Beryl Rosenberg is the Camper Liaison for Camp Blue Ridge of Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge in Equinunk, Pennsylvania.
