My name is Margaret Leatherbury and I’ve been attending Nakanawa since 2005. I was born and raised in Mobile, AL but have been living in New Orleans, LA since I graduated from The University of Alabama in December 2018. I was a camper for 9 years and have been a counselor for 4 years, soon to be 5 years. I am excited to be spending time at Nakanawa for my 14th year this summer! There is nothing better than spending a summer unplugged and living in the moment. Time at Nakanawa is something that I’ve always valued both as a camper and a counselor. The bubble that Nakanawa creates allows young women to take a step back from the “real” world that has stereotypes and social norms and to truly be themselves. This is one of the many reasons that I have continued to be drawn back to the Cumberland Plateau.
Nakanawa has instilled values in me that I don’t know if I would have gotten if I hadn’t gone to sleep away camp. I was taught to be a leader, how to be a part of a team, how to enjoy the quietness of the world around me, and to slow down. Slowing down is something that I’ve found challenging while at home to this day. Since my time at Nakanawa has been limited to 2, 4, or 6 weeks, I’ve learned to appreciate every conversation, swim meet, devotion, and every laugh. When working throughout the school year as a teacher I feel like I am rushing to get things done or go places. At Nakanawa it is quite the opposite. While there is a schedule of things to do and places to be, you are more easily able to enjoy conversations or activities going on around you. There aren’t the distractions of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or any technology to hold you back from enjoying the spirit of Nakanawa. As a counselor, our job is to provide a positive example for the campers. I suggest unplugging yourself from your phone or computer in the CB and spending time in your cabin with your bunkies, taking walks around camp, and getting to know other counselors. These are things that you will come to value as the years go on.
Being a mentor and positive figure to the campers is one reason I was so interested in coming back as a counselor after my Tent Row summer. Camp would not happen without the work that the counselors put into everything that they are doing. We wear many hats including the older sister or mom, the hype squad, the friend, the teacher, the mediator, and many more. Yes, some nights may be hard staying up to get mama letters submitted or planning the 4th of July marathon but the outcome of the product in the end is worth seeing the overjoyed smiles of the campers. As a counselor we are looked to to help guide the girls in their weeks at camp. In order to do so I’ve found that slowing down to be in the moment is the best way to aid the campers in making this one of their best summers yet. My years as a camper were filled with amazing counselors that I look up to to this day and that have inspired me to give back to hopefully be the same mentor that I once had.
If you ever have questions or see me walking around Senior Camp this summer, please do not hesitate to reach out! I love talking about my experience at Nakanawa and meeting new people. I can’t wait to see y’all this summer!
WoHeLo,
Margaret Leatherbury
