From Camper To Counselor
From Camper To Counselor
Written by Nitya Bhattarai.
Posted: December 6, 2024. This article was originally shared in our Winter 2024 Newsletter.
Camp has always been a cornerstone in my life, a place where I not only found community but also a sense of belonging. When I was 11, I attended the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (HITW) for the first time, and everything changed. After moving to Connecticut from New York, I struggled to find where I fit in, but HITW became the missing piece. It wasn’t just a camp, it was a place where I truly felt at home, surrounded by people who accepted and celebrated me. The counselors were like superheroes, and I couldn’t wait to wear the same lanyard, helping others feel seen and supported.
At 13, I attended NEHA’s Annual Family Camp, which was another life-changing experience. At NEHA’s Camp, I was surrounded by people who truly understood life with hemophilia. We shared similar challenges, and the friendships I formed were deep and lasting. With the help of my counselors and nurses, I earned my Big Stick that year for successfully infusing my treatment independently! Many of my friends from that first year at NEHA’s Camp are still in my life and have become leaders in the bleeding disorders community. Returning to NEHA’s Camp in 2023 felt like coming home, reaffirming that the connections built at camp last a lifetime. This time, I was able to help a camper get their Big Stick—just like someone had done for me when I first attended as a camper.
My connection to camp deepened as I transitioned from camper to staff at HITW, where I worked for three summers. Starting as a pool counselor at 18, I learned that being on staff wasn’t just about facilitating activities—it was about creating intentional, life-changing moments. The ropes course wasn’t just a challenge; it taught kids the value of teamwork. The pool became an arena where children could feel like Olympic champions. The talent show wasn’t just entertainment; it was a platform for campers to overcome social anxieties and shine. These experiences cemented my belief that camp was where I belonged.
Earlier this year, I took my passion for helping others at camp to new heights at Camp Southern Ground, founded by Zac Brown, of the Zac Brown Band. This camp serves neurodiverse children and kids from military families. Working there allowed me to bring the skills I had developed over the years to a new setting. One of the highlights was working with Matty Cook, the former director at HITW when I was a camper. Learning from him as a staff member was a full-circle moment, allowing me to take what I learned at HITW and apply it in a new way.
I know I’m not alone in saying that Camp has changed my life. I’ve seen it with my own eyes: Camp empowers kids to take ownership of their health and build lifelong friendships. One day, they may even pass on this incredible experience to the next generation at Camp.
At NEHA’S Family Camp, teens, ages 16-17, are junior counselors. Young adults, ages 18+, are counselors. If you are interested in learning more about being a counselor, visit www.nehafamilycamp.org.
Nitya has hemophilia and lives in Connecticut. He was part of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI), and has served as a volunteer, advocate and Camp counselor with NEHA for many years.