Green Lake Conference Center 2014 Special Edition Volume 46 | Page 7

A Place I Call My Own
Story and photos by Elle Riegert

Everyone needs a place where they can
be free from the chaotic society we live in every
day. We’re always rushing to get from one place to
another and scrambling to get that assignment done
the night before it’s due. Parents are often coming
home exhausted from work with a list of things still
to do before the day ends. We all need to slow down
a little bit and find that place where we can take a
break and become aware of the important
things around us.

The place in my life where I feel content and
free from the stress of my daily routine is at Green
Lake Conference Center. In the very short months of
summer, right after school ends, my family heads to
Green Lake to camp. I look forward to this one week
because it’s like my home away from home.

We always stay at the same cabin every year
and have slowly made it our own. My sister and I call
this exciting week, cousin camp. Cousin Camp got its
name because it has now become a tradition that all
of our cousins and extended family come and spend
the week with us.

It’s my favorite time in the summer because
I’m simply at peace. It’s a place of my own where I
am free from stress, drama and the terrifying final
exams that took place the week before. It’s just me
with the people I love enjoying every moment that
passes by. There is no TV or internet to become a

the people around me. I like to whittle on a stick with
my engraved jackknife while watching the campfire,
lie in the grass and look at the stars, walk through
the prairie trails and hike in the woods. I can talk and
laugh with my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins and
not worry about what they think of me. Everyone
recognizes the special time and place that we are
sharing.

The problem in our society is that people
devote too much of their time on things that don’t
matter and they are missing out on the simple things
in life that make it special and beautiful; a sunset
over the water, the warm breeze blowing through
the trees, the sounds of the birds during the day and
the crickets at night, and thousands of glowing stars
in the night sky. Being at Green Lake gives me time
to myself to enjoy these things that I usually take for
granted.

This is my special place and everyone should
have a place that is special to them. Whether it’s
a place hours away or even in your backyard the
benefit of having a place of your own keeps everyone
grounded. As I grow older and make more memories
at Green Lake, I find myself looking forward to it
more every year. I realize that this place and the time
we have as a family together is precious because we
are never guaranteed another day.
***
Elle is a high school senior residing in southern
Wisconsin. Green Lake is her favorite place to
be. She enjoys playing tennis and spending
time with her friends and family. “God has truly
blessed me and being at Green Lake every
summer reminds me of his blessings and the
incredible life he has given me,” she said.

distraction. It’s not even
a choice. At first I wasn’t
very happy about this,
but now I see how this
makes me more aware
of my surroundings and

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