This year, I had the privilege of serving as a camp counselor at the California Muslim Youth Camp (MYC) for the second time. My journey to MYC began unexpectedly the previous year. While en route to Lake Michigan in Chicago, I had a serendipitous encounter with a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. I approached her with Assalamualaikum, and had a lengthy conversation with her as we walked along the lakeshore. She mentioned the camp, which sparked my interest, and I signed up after learning about it from her.
The California Muslim Youth Camp was founded by Marghoob Quraishi and his wife Iffat Quraishi. MYC has taken place on an annual basis since 1961. While it started with only a few families, today, it brings together hundreds of Muslim children and adults across the United States.
Growing up, I knew many Muslims who participated in the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) camp. Throughout my early years, I wanted to be a part of a Muslim camp, especially as my friends from Islamic Sunday school would enthusiastically recount their experiences to me. Therefore, it was with immense gratitude, alhamdulillah, that I finally had the chance to attend MYC in the role of a counselor.
As a co-counselor this past summer, I was responsible for ten “senior high” girls, which constitutes junior and senior girls in high school. Collaborating with a co-counselor, who has been an attendee of MYC for numerous years since her own childhood, granted me the valuable opportunity to observe and glean insights from her experiences throughout the camp. I enjoyed my role as a counselor, and we could engage the girls not only in counselor sessions but also throughout the camp. The diversity of personalities among the girls excited me, and I was particularly drawn to their individual journeys within the realm of faith and Islam. Their thoughtful inquiries often led me to pause and carefully select words that would resonate with their unique experiences, prompting moments of personal contemplation. As their questions arose, I felt a sense of excitement and responsibility, knowing that my responses had the potential to contribute meaningfully to their understanding of their faith. The process of tailoring my answers to their distinct inquiries further deepened my own connection with the teachings and principles of Islam.
The camp itself was in La Honda, CA this year, and the beautiful redwood trees scattered the walking path. This year’s theme was Khidma (service). Every morning started with “Homeroom,” in which the campers had an instructor who spoke to them about the theme of the camp. We were able to discuss the importance of service in Islam, in terms of being kind to our neighbors, donating to the poor, and contributing and volunteering our time. Many of the administration and counselors there were contributing their time, expertise, religious knowledge and spirituality, and network. There were different activities for the campers such as archery, rock climbing, basketball, pool time, ping pong, and arts and crafts, which they would be able to partake in during their elective period. For my elective period, I took part in Islamic Art and a coffee workshop. The coffee workshop was led by a sister who founded her own small coffee business and joked that she founded it to fund her expensive coffee machine. She is not only an entrepreneur but also practiced Khidma herself by helping to start a coffee shop business at the Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC) in Southern California.
We had “Campfire,” in which every evening we have skits, jokes, and anecdotes. I also had the opportunity to converse with many of the administrative staff and learn about their own professions and journeys in life. At night, I would retreat to the administrative office to do work, but inevitably ended up socializing with other counselors.
Moreover, the profound connection with nature and the opportunity to bask in the blessings of Allah SWT served as a catalyst for my personal growth. This experience fostered a deeper sense of humility within me and contributed to the suppression of my ego. The more I immersed myself in the natural surroundings, the greater my appreciation for the marvels of the woods, chirping of the birds, and vastness of the night sky, and the gratitude I felt towards Allah SWT. Particularly moving were the instances when we performed our five daily salah (prayers) in congregation outdoors. This practice allowed for an extraordinary communion with nature, amplifying the spiritual experience of salah. The amalgamation of prayer and the serene outdoor environment created an incredible synergy that left a lasting impact on me.
My time as a counselor at MYC not only enriched my connection with the campers but also deepened my understanding of myself and the profound bond between faith, nature, and personal growth. To learn more about MYC, please visit the website: https://muslimyouthcamp.org/
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Mayesha Awal received her B.A. in both Psychology and Government from Georgetown University, and her M.S. in Healthcare Management from Indiana University-Bloomington. Prior to working as an Analyst, Mayesha has contributed extensively to international and domestic experiential-learning trips related to public health. She has also worked in a large hospital system, in its continuous improvement department. Overall, Mayesha has developed skills in research, data analysis, project management, and field experience, in her experiences as an intern.
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