Imagine this scenario: You walk shyly into a crowded room filled with people of varying ages and nationalities. All around you the sounds of laughter and glee drift through the air. You stand alone, wondering what to do next—suddenly you see a familiar face among all the unfamiliar ones. You rush over, bearing excited hugs and acting as if the long time you have been separated was hardly anything at all. You break out of the shell that had been holding you back, recalling memories of past events.

Before you know it, you have become part of a circle of friends. Now when you look around the room, you view the unfamiliar faces not as strangers, but as potential companions. You realize the importance of seeing old friends and making new ones.

No matter what event a person experiences, things always seem to go better with the help of a good friend. Friends are the people you can depend on for support and comfort; they are the people who understand you and guide you through both the good times and the bad. When you come across an opportunity to see people after a long period of time, such as the Feast of Tabernacles or Ambassador Youth Camp, it is always a refreshing and joyous experience.

AYC had an enormous impact on me because of the way I saw people come together, friendships I saw grow stronger, and challenges that we overcame to achieve victory.

During camp there was a visible change in the campers and staff. During the first pre-camp meeting at Headquarters, it was obvious that everyone was excited to see everyone else, but there was still that awkward, quiet shyness. We were hesitant to engage in conversation, and I found myself hanging around the same people most of the time. However, this shy quietness quickly ended. It was great to see everyone adjust and become more open and personable as camp progressed.

Camp had an overall feeling of unity appreciated by everyone.

Meeting new people was also a great part of AYC. Every person has their own personal story to share. You are able to learn so much from someone if you take just a few moments to get to know them. For example, there were several international campers and staff present. They could tell you about life in their countries, and maybe even clarify some rumors. No, Australians do not use koalas as teddy bears, and yes, chocolate from Belgium is delicious! In meeting new people you are able to learn from their experiences and draw closer to them, paving the way for lifelong friendships.

AYC was a great opportunity to build friendships. Throughout the two weeks of camp, there was a constant positive, friendly attitude displayed by everyone, making it a wonderful experience.

As we said our goodbyes to new friends and old, we all began to long for the time we would be together again.