Mallory Smith

When I was 18, I first learned about Camp Bob for the QC. My coworker at the time, Amy Loeber, told me about this incredible opportunity she had taken on as camp director, and asked me if I would be interested in working at the camp. It immediately sounded like the opportunity of a lifetime, but I already had a vacation planned the same week the camp took place. The following year, I was unable to join due to an out-of-state internship at another camp in Oregon. Finally, in 2025, freshly graduated, unemployed, and ready for something meaningful, I became a counselor at Camp Bob for the QC.

I had no idea what to expect; this was my first overnight camp experience. I came from a background in toddler and early childhood Montessori care, so being placed in the Older Girls cabin felt both exciting and intimidating. I was confident in my ability to care, but unsure of how I would connect with campers so much older than I was used to working with.

That first summer challenged me in all the best ways. I faced fears, tried new things, and built lifelong memories alongside our campers. I learned quickly what it means to be a role model for young girls navigating the world at such an important age. What I thought would simply be a week of work turned into something that changed my life. Watching each of my campers leave with a new sense of confidence gave me a purpose I had been searching for for years. Before the week had even ended, I signed up to help with the camp’s social media and online presence. That was the first spark of something I now carry with me every day.

The second year only deepened that experience. With a year of understanding the rhythm of camp, I felt more comfortable stepping into creativity and leadership. Cabin culture became something I paid close attention to, because it truly shapes a camper’s entire experience. My co-counselor, Angie, and I watched in awe as our girls formed friendships, inside jokes, and traditions that turned the cabin into its own little world. From dance parties and bracelet-making to late-night giggles when they were supposed to be asleep, those small moments became the ones that mattered most. They may not remember every scheduled activity, but they will remember how it felt to be there.

One of the greatest privileges of this role is showing campers the beauty of the world and the simplicity of real connection. In a time when technology fills so much of their everyday lives, camp gives them space to slow down and just be kids. The first day can be an adjustment, but by the end of the week, we’re sitting together talking about mountain views, sharing stories, and finding joy in the quiet moments.

Camp Bob for the QC is still young, but it is growing into something truly special. When I first began writing this, there was no published website. Now, as you read this, you are seeing part of that growth in real time. I am grateful to be part of a team that is building something lasting, and I am excited to continue growing alongside Camp Bob for the QC. I love Camp Bob for the QC!

-Mallory Smith, 2026