From Camper to Counselor: Hallie’s Perfectly Me Journey

When Hallie first joined Perfectly Me SuperHero Camp, she wasn’t just looking for fun—she was looking for a place to belong. What she found was so much more: a community that saw her, celebrated her, and helped her step into the leader she was always meant to be.

From the very beginning, Hallie stood out—not because she tried to, but because of how she showed up for others. Compassion came naturally to her. She had a quiet way of noticing when someone felt left out and gently making space for them to feel included. Even as a camper, she was already leading—not with a loud voice, but with a kind heart.

It wasn’t long before Hallie began to wonder what it might feel like to be on the other side — to be the squad leader—guiding games and comforting first-time campers. The following summer, she applied for the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program, ready to turn that dream into action. She was accepted and thrived! Hallie welcomed nervous campers, cheered kids on during activities, helped lead projects and offered steady encouragement to those who needed a little extra support. Her mom, Karen, wasn’t surprised. “She’s the therapist of her friend group,” she shared. “She’s always the one they turn to. She just has that way about her.”

A Safe Place to Be Yourself

For Hallie, the most powerful part of Perfectly Me Hero Camps isn’t just the games or the activities. It’s the freedom to be exactly who she is, who you are. When asked what camp means to her, she didn’t hesitate: “It’s a place where you can have fun and be yourself without worrying what other kids think.”

That simple truth carries incredible weight—because for so many kids, being yourself can feel risky. But not at Perfectly Me. Here, safety means more than rules and supervision. It means emotional safety—the kind that says, You are welcome here. You don’t need to change to belong.

At Perfectly Me Hero Camps, kids don’t have to shrink themselves to fit in. They’re encouraged to shine: To lead. To try new things. To care deeply. To be brave enough to show up as their full selves—even when it’s hard.

“It’s the kind of experience that sticks,” Karen said. “Camp didn’t just help Hallie make new friends—it helped her understand who she is and what kind of person she wants to be.” That kind of transformation doesn’t happen everywhere. It happens in places where kids feel safe. Seen. Celebrated. And that’s what makes Perfectly Me Hero Camps more than a camp. It’s a home for kids becoming the heroes of their own stories.

Becoming the Kind of Person She Admired

For Hallie, leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. “Sometimes, kids my age show leadership by speaking up when something’s not okay,” she explained. “Being an upstander really matters.”

SuperHero Camp helped her see that courage and kindness are two sides of the same coin—and that both are needed in the world we’re growing up in.

Learning What Really Matters

At its heart, Perfectly Me Hero Camps are about more than summer—it’s about building life skills that kids will carry with them forever. For Hallie, one of the most powerful skills she gained was patience. “I learned to be patient with people who may be having a hard time,” “But I also learned to be patient with myself—which I think is really important.”

That insight didn’t just shape her summer—it’s shaping her future. “I’ve thought about what I want to be when I grow up. I’ve decided that I possibly want to be an anesthesiologist. Like I said, I’d need patience—with myself and with the patient.”

Those words reveal a deep emotional maturity and self-awareness. At SuperHero Camp, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about learning how to show up for others, lead with empathy, and believe in your power to make a difference.

And leadership, Hallie says, means more than just guiding games—it means standing up for what’s right - being an upstander.

Preparing for the Real World

“This camp shows kids how to make new friends,” Hallie shared. “And what values really matter in the world.” Her mom echoed that truth with urgency. “The world can be so mean—so hateful. Camps like this help kids learn how to deal with their feelings, how to treat others, and how to be kind even when it’s hard. That’s violence prevention. These programs are more than important—they’re essential.”

Now stepping into her role as a junior counselor, Hallie brings with her all the love, patience, and leadership she once admired in others. She is living proof that with encouragement, compassion, and a chance to shine, kids don’t just grow. They become—and they help others do the same.

Learn more about Perfectly Me Hero Camps