As they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and Charlotte Harris should know. This is her 11th year of summer camp at MDC.
Granted, most of those years were as a summer camper, starting at age 5 and ending last year when she aged out of the program. This year, Charlotte, who turns 16 in August, returns to MDC as a summer camp counselor.
When asked why she decided to spend her summer at camp as a counselor, there was no hesitation in her response.
“Because I couldn’t be a camper anymore,” said Charlotte, who will enter the 10th grade this fall.
Charlotte and her family lived in New Smyrna until she was 8. Her father went to the former New Smyrna Beach High School when it was located on the current MDC site.
The family moved to New Orleans, but has continued to spend summers and some holidays in New Smyrna Beach — visiting with her grandparents and staying connected to Marine Discovery Center.
Charlotte has many memories of her camper years.
“I remember how each camp had their own individualized T-shirts, like our Leatherbacks camp,” she said. “I really like ‘Field Day,’ which started four years ago. We didn’t have that when I was a young camper, but it’s when all of the camps come together on Friday at the end of the week and do fun competitions.”
Charlotte also appreciates how MDC summer camp has been a part of her life for so long that it nearly feels like she’s a part of an extended family. Three years ago, while still a camper, she was on MDC’s Discovery boat and one of the adult volunteer counselors remarked that she looked familiar.
“That counselor turned on her cell phone and her phone screen had a picture of her first camp several years ago and I was in the picture at age 5 – probably from my first week at camp!” said Charlotte.
Summer camp wasn’t just a place to go and something to do, however. It was where she wanted to be, doing what gave her new dreams and aspirations as she has matured.
“When I was little, I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but for years, I’ve wanted to become a marine biologist because I wanted to work here at MDC,” said Charlotte, who hopes to either become a marine biologist or a criminal psychologist.
Two years ago, Charlotte studied in England, so her summer was abbreviated, but there have been three years where she spent all 10 weeks with her family in New Smyrna Beach and each time, MDC was front and center in her activities. Her brother and sister also have participated in summer camp programs.
“I really love marine biology and I love coming to MDC and learning new things,” she added. “I love the vibe here and all the people are really nice. This is one of my favorite places to be every summer.”
Charlotte says being a counselor is not that different from being a camper. She still gets to do fun activities on the water. And now, she gets to lead campers in activities she has enjoyed for many years and wants to share with others.
“This is just a special place,” she added. “I like how I have somewhere to come in the summer where everyone knows me and I know them. That feels good.”
— by Lisa D. Mickey
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