Counselors Meet, Wed Thanks to Camp ASSCA

Kids love spending a week at MDA camp every summer.  But the counselors who take care of the kids and spend time with them enjoy it just as much, if not more.

MDA summer camp has become a family affair for Micah and Julie Little.  They met at camp years ago and are now married. 

He’s a state trooper.  She’s a teacher.

Micah’s been a camp counselor for 10 years.  He says there’s just something about this week that keeps him coming back.

“There’s no better feeling than waking up and seeing the smile on this kids face knowing what he’s looking forward to,” said Micah. “It’s one of the best weeks of their lives and I enjoy being a part of it.”

Julie got involved with MDA 15 years ago when she needed service hours to graduate from high school.  But after that first summer at camp, she was hooked.  She says it’s all about being part of seeing the kids who’ve never caught a fish, ridden a horse or a zip line.

“To see them have a week where it’s all about them and they get to do thing that they never get to do the rest of the year, it’s spectacular,” said Julie.  “And that has to be rewarding to be able to see them do those things that they don’t normally get to do and you’re a part of. It is.  There’s no way to describe the feeling that you get from being a part of that and getting to experience that with them.”

The friendships made this week don’t end when the counselors and campers leave.  Many of them stay in touch throughout the year.

Huntsville’s Skylar Blair was one of Micah’s first campers.  They’re still buddies.

“We duck hunt together at least once a year,” said Micah.  “We try to do more and we talk several times through the month or what not, you know, on the phone and we try to get together.”  

The bond between MDA campers and counselors can last a lifetime.  As fate would have it, one of Julie’s campers was a former student at her school in Collinsville.  She still keeps in touch with him and his family.

“He’s still special.  He’s still my kid,” Julie said. 

“And they’ll always be your kids, right?” we asked. 

“Yes they will,” Julie replied.  “Even after they move on and even after they leave camp, they’re still my kid.”