Summer brings a wealth of opportunities to travel, learn new things, and have fun—but one of the best things about summer is camp season! Being a camper is an experience that can’t be explained secondhand: You have to go to camp yourself to truly appreciate it.

Here are 12 things you can look forward to experiencing for yourself if you go to camp, or you can experience again if you are a camp veteran:

1. The pre-camp jitters

It’s that can’t-sleep-a-wink feeling that lasts anywhere from a day to a week before camp.

2. Ice breakers in all their awkward glory

Thanks to camp, you’ll always have your name, where you’re from, and an interesting fact about yourself ready to fire off at a moment’s notice.

3. How contagious the excitement is on the first day

Is it really anticipation of all the upcoming activities or is it just fondness for your brand new t-shirt? Either way, you can feel the excitement in the air.

4. All of the different ways you can serve

Who knew that camp took so much work? You’ll quickly be reminded that a helping hand in any area is greatly appreciated, from clearing off tables at lunch to cheering on your dorm mates through an activity. “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

5. The energy rush of the second day

Nothing boosts confidence like getting through the first day in one piece. You are now a camp expert!

6. Discovering the best friend you never knew you had

Camp is a unique environment where new relationships can quickly blossom. One of the greatest camp memories you can make is finding that BFF who sticks with you, not only through the week, but long after camp is over. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

7. That hard, mid-week crash

Three full days of summer heat and physical activity has you practically begging for the evening curfew.

8. When the real team-building starts

Exhaustion, injury, and fear can really bring a dorm closer together. You find out that true love for your brother is helping each other back up when you’ve reached rock bottom.

9. An appreciation for the Sabbath like never before

After such an amazing week of physical and social activity, you become very grateful that God provides His Sabbath for us to relax. “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath’” (Mark 2:27-28).

10. The scramble to finish all your Sabbath notes before breakfast

So-and-so won’t mind that hers is written on a napkin, right?

11. The immediate sadness that comes with the last song at the dance

But the last song doesn’t mean the end of camp—you know your dorm will still be whispering in the dark for the next few hours before you all fall happily asleep.

12. How ready you already are for the next summer

You played a sport you’ve never played before. You learned things in Christian living that you’re excited to read more about in your personal Bible study at home. You made some of the best friends of your life. And you can’t wait to start it all over again!