Strangers to Family

I show up early, first one at the door,

Bag on my shoulder, I’ve done this before,

Seeing new faces and old ones too,

Every year is different, a dream come true,

Playing team games, building trust between us,

Breaking down walls, we now have the trust,

From talent shows to rehearsals our voices collide,

Strangers all standing right by my side,

Learning the songs, the steps, the lines,

Dancing through days that turn into nights,

Didn’t know their names, and they didn’t know me,

Just a group of faces I’d soon call my family,

Somewhere between the rhythm and sound,

Between the nerves and laughing out loud,

Something changed, I could finally see,

This place was becoming home to me,

We came as strangers, we left as family,

Six years of memories always living in me,

From the first hello to the last goodbye,

These memories stay, they never die,

Through every song and steps we make,

These bonds these friendships were never fake,

This camp made a home out of you and me,

We came as strangers, now we’re family,

Cards on the table, mafia lies,

Hide and seek running under midnight skies,

Playing Zombies chasing us down the town,

Laughing so hard our moods were never down,

Talking for hours deep in the night,

Conversations and laughs until the sun’s bright,

Late night walks, no reason to go,

Power naps was always needed, that was our flow,

Just holding on to the moments we know,

Day by day we got closer and closer,

Built something real, these memories will never be over,

We came as strangers, we left as family,

Six years of memories always living in me,

From the first hello to the last goodbye,

These memories stay, they never die,

Through every song and steps we make,

These bonds these friendships were never fake,

This camp made a home out of you and me,

We came as strangers, now we’re family,

Years went by, some left the line,

New faces joined at different times.

But every summer I found my way,

Back to this place, back where I’d stay.

I’m always the first one there again,

Same open heart, different friends.

After camp ends we still find time,

Holding on past the final line.

We write our letters to each other so we won’t forget,

Compliments and lovely messages Promises in ink we set.

Even when life pulls us apart,

You’re always close, you’re always my heart.

Not just a moment, not just a phase,

You shaped who I am in so many ways.

We came as strangers, we left as family,

Six years of love carved deep in me,

Through every tear and every cheer,

You made a home I’ll always hear,

This camp will forever be apart of me,

I know that everyone would agree,

We came in as strangers, but endlessly,

We’ll always be ……. a family,

So if I’m walking alone someday,

I’ll hear your voices guide my way.

It wasn’t just a place to stay,

It was family — and it will always stay.