Meet the Former Camper/Current Volunteer: Rachael Buchanan
What years did you attend Circle Camps and how old were you?
I started camp in the summer of 2007 and I was 11 years old. My dad died in November 2006, and my family was introduced to Circle Camps through the grief counseling program we attended. I remember feeling so nervous about going away to sleep away camp. I had never gone to camp before, and that was the longest time I had ever been away from my mother, but I was happy my younger sister could come with me.
What is your favorite thing about coming back to camp as a volunteer?
My favorite thing about coming back to camp as a volunteer is reflecting on my own grief journey through the lens of the current campers. I remember feeling so old when my dad died, like I had these huge responsibilities on my shoulders - to take care of my family, and put on a brave face for the world. I took myself so seriously because I knew the path ahead of me was going to be really hard. And it was, and still is. But when I'm volunteering at camp, I see other campers who were my age when their parents died, and I see how young they are and the burdens they carry. All I want to do is help them remember that at camp, they don't have to carry these burdens. That they can be kids and goof off and enjoy the bliss of having no responsibilities, even if it's just for a week.
Describe one of your favorite camp memories.
One of my favorite camp memories would be sneaking out of the bunk after Taps (with our counselors permission) to lay out under the stars. It's still one of my favorite camp activities except now I'm a "grown up" and don't need to ask for permission :)
How did Circle help you explore your grief? How did it help you in your grief process?
Circle helped me explore my grief in an immense way. I felt very isolated in school when I was growing up because I felt labeled as "the girl whose dad died.” I would get frustrated when everyone else seemed to have both their parents on the sidelines at sporting events or attending honors breakfasts. But when I was at Circle I knew that the other campers understood me and I didn't have to explain myself. Having the Circle community become part of my family has helped me and my entire family process our grief. Through volunteering, I have discovered new parts of myself and the grieving process that have helped me on my personal journey.
What is your favorite camp meal?
Grilled cheese and tomato soup - it's a classic, and I will happily eat the whole platter if others are slow to grab theirs ;)
What are you doing now? Has your experience at Circle influenced that at all?
I work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and specialize in Transfusion Medicine. I currently am at a hospital blood bank and work on making sure patients receive the safest blood transfusions possible. I went into the healthcare field partly inspired by my dad, who died of myocarditis. I was intrigued by figuring out why things happen the way they do in the body, which led me to my career in clinical pathology. It fascinated me learning how seamless and sophisticated the human body is, down to the molecular level, and working in the blood bank has given me a way to directly impact a patient's well-being.
What years did you attend Circle Camps and how old were you?
I started camp in the summer of 2007 and I was 11 years old. My dad died in November 2006, and my family was introduced to Circle Camps through the grief counseling program we attended. I remember feeling so nervous about going away to sleep away camp. I had never gone to camp before, and that was the longest time I had ever been away from my mother, but I was happy my younger sister could come with me.
What is your favorite thing about coming back to camp as a volunteer?
My favorite thing about coming back to camp as a volunteer is reflecting on my own grief journey through the lens of the current campers. I remember feeling so old when my dad died, like I had these huge responsibilities on my shoulders - to take care of my family, and put on a brave face for the world. I took myself so seriously because I knew the path ahead of me was going to be really hard. And it was, and still is. But when I'm volunteering at camp, I see other campers who were my age when their parents died, and I see how young they are and the burdens they carry. All I want to do is help them remember that at camp, they don't have to carry these burdens. That they can be kids and goof off and enjoy the bliss of having no responsibilities, even if it's just for a week.
Describe one of your favorite camp memories.
One of my favorite camp memories would be sneaking out of the bunk after Taps (with our counselors permission) to lay out under the stars. It's still one of my favorite camp activities except now I'm a "grown up" and don't need to ask for permission :)
How did Circle help you explore your grief? How did it help you in your grief process?
Circle helped me explore my grief in an immense way. I felt very isolated in school when I was growing up because I felt labeled as "the girl whose dad died.” I would get frustrated when everyone else seemed to have both their parents on the sidelines at sporting events or attending honors breakfasts. But when I was at Circle I knew that the other campers understood me and I didn't have to explain myself. Having the Circle community become part of my family has helped me and my entire family process our grief. Through volunteering, I have discovered new parts of myself and the grieving process that have helped me on my personal journey.
What is your favorite camp meal?
Grilled cheese and tomato soup - it's a classic, and I will happily eat the whole platter if others are slow to grab theirs ;)
What are you doing now? Has your experience at Circle influenced that at all?
I work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and specialize in Transfusion Medicine. I currently am at a hospital blood bank and work on making sure patients receive the safest blood transfusions possible. I went into the healthcare field partly inspired by my dad, who died of myocarditis. I was intrigued by figuring out why things happen the way they do in the body, which led me to my career in clinical pathology. It fascinated me learning how seamless and sophisticated the human body is, down to the molecular level, and working in the blood bank has given me a way to directly impact a patient's well-being.