Chase Bailey

Name: Chase Bailey

Summers as a Camper: 4 summers

• 2012 - 2014: Camp IV Camper
• 2015: CILT on Archery

Years as a Staff Member/Positions held: 7 years

• 2016: Junior Counselor, Riflery
• 2017: Junior Counselor, Riflery
• 2018: Senior Counselor, Riflery
• 2019: Senior Counselor, Riflery Chief
• 2020: Embark Counselor
• 2021: Operations Chief
• 2022: Camp M Pirates Head Counselor

Current Profession:

• Creator and Host of Our Camp (2022-present)

Current Role and Career Path

Our Camp is a YouTube program for preschool-aged children, inspired by my time at Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer. As the Creator and Host of Our Camp, I wear a lot of hats. On any given day, I could be writing a script, writing a song, shooting an episode, editing a video, or sewing a puppet for a new character.

I waited to start Our Camp until I had the time to completely dedicate myself. So after I graduated from The Citadel, and the day after I finished Extended Season in October of 2022, I got to work developing Our Camp. I originally planned on launching Our Camp in January of 2023, but the development phase lasted until the launch in February of 2024.

We launched with two programs, the first of which is The Knight Who Lost His Sword. This program follows a puppet knight named Sir Bob after he loses his sword (a metaphor for impulse), gains a shovel (a metaphor for critical thinking skills), and now has to solve his problems with his noggin! Learning impulse control is one of the most important struggles of growing up, and one I faced as a camper and worked with campers on controlling when I was a counselor. The second program is called The Adventure Door, which follows me as I participate in and reflect on a variety of activities. Every episode of both programs ends with a reflection on what we learned, which is directly inspired by devotions. I really enjoyed the daily opportunity to reflect on everything that happened as a camper and a counselor. I try my best to bring the Camp spirit into every video!

I had the thought that inspired Our Camp on the pier with my friends during the summer of 2019. We were all talking about Camp's influence in our lives and how grateful we were for it. I remember being bummed that everyone can't go to Camp and thinking, "imagine what the world could be if everyone could go to Camp Sea Gull." While I didn't know it at the time, that one thought would develop into Our Camp over the next three years. While everyone can't go to Camp, we can bring the Camp spirit to them!

Key Lessons from Camp

At Camp, I learned that failure is a necessary step on the path toward growth. When I was shooting for my American Archer and for my Expert, I remember failing to score high enough for my final target. I believe I failed about seven times when I was shooting for my Expert before I earned the rank. Camp has inspired me to seek challenge and to try my best to avoid the "easy path." At Our Camp, I try to test my skills with every video. Oftentimes, I find when I take one step forward, I'll also take ten steps backward as new unforeseen problems arise and delay my plans for days or weeks. While it might be frustrating at times, I find these challenges help me grow in the long run.

I also find that tough or mundane tasks are a lot more fun with friends. When I was Operations Chief, taking out the Mess Hall's trash or mopping the Mess Hall into the night were sometimes tasks I found myself doing alone. Frequently, one of my best friends or a counselor on their long night would grab a mop and help out even though they didn't have to. Nowadays, I find Our Camp videos turn out better and are a lot more fun to make when I have a friend helping out.

Proud Achievements

I am proud that I took the leap to start Our Camp right out of college and take a big risk. It's not easy to pursue a dream, and Camp taught me to believe in myself and set difficult (but achievable, timely, and quantifiable) goals. I realize that a lot of people do not get as much support while following their dreams, so I am profoundly grateful for all of the support I've received so far. Our Camp was directly inspired by my time at Camp Sea Gull and Seafarer, and I never would have thought of the idea of Our Camp if it weren't for the amazing people that made Camp a special place. I feel a strong sense of purpose to share all the lessons I learned at Camp and to try to share the Camp spirit across the globe. I believe the world could use a little Camp spirit right now!

Influential Camp Mentor

Ben Root was my Senior Counselor during my first session as a counselor. On my first day as a counselor in 2016, the starter campers had just arrived, and everyone was seated on the cabin bench ready to go to the Mess Hall. That year, Camp One's theme was the Pilots. When the bugle rang for lunch, and in the spirit of a true Pilot, Ben made an "X" with his arms, told the campers that they were X-wings, made a huge circle with his arms, told the campers he was the Death Star, and booked it towards the Mess Hall. Each camper made their X-wings, made their best flying sounds, and flew towards the Death Star as fast as they could.

As I watched Ben and the campers run towards the Mess Hall, I wanted to join in but was reluctant to out of fear of being judged or thought of as a fool. In that moment, I put too much weight on the thoughts of others and was not being myself. I quickly realized that goofiness and being yourself is what Camp is all about. So I made myself an X-wing and ran to the Mess Hall to join everyone else. In that moment, Ben showed me how to confidently embrace being myself. So if you saw me running around Camp with an Indiana Jones hat or making Wookiee noises on "Wookiee Wednesdays," you can thank Ben Root. =)

Why Work at Camp

I strongly believe that working at Camp is the best way you can spend your summer. Nowhere else have I seen so many people lead by core values towards a united purpose: to give campers the best summers of their lives. I am a big believer in the idea that growth as a person and a leader comes from challenging yourself. Camp, no matter whether you are a Junior or Head Counselor, presents opportunities for growth every day. It's not easy to counsel a kid who is homesick, especially if it's your first time. Learning to work as a united front is also a skill that will last you throughout your life. Being a counselor at Camp provides an education that will last you the rest of your life.

You can bring the spirit of Camp with you wherever you go! The lessons you learn at Camp are meant to be taken with you once you leave and shared! The world, now more than ever, could use the spirit of Camp, and you can be that beacon.