New Memories and Nicknames

Shehryar – known as “Sherry” to his students and campers – never grew up going to camp.

A part-time teacher who loves working with kids, Shehryar first heard about Campfire Circle through his friend Imo, a former camper who is now an in-hospital program staff member.

This recommendation turned into something very meaningful.

Like many first-time volunteers, Shehryar arrived at camp feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

“I’m extroverted, but I still get nervous meeting new people,” he shares. “But camp was such a welcoming and warm environment. Within a couple of minutes, I fell right into place, and there was nothing to be afraid of.”

That sense of belonging quickly turned into connection. Inside his cabin, nicknames became a common theme. One camper earned the name “McMuffin” after proudly boarding the bus with a McDonald’s breakfast. And Sherry? His campers made up a rhyme just for him – handwritten and taped to his cabin door. It was a small gesture but one filled with meaning.

Camp days were packed with activities – hikes, campfires, arts and crafts, music sessions, time at the barn, and boating on the lake. But for Shehryar, it was the camp’s culture that left the biggest impression. Singing songs like “Oli Oli Ana,” repeating “Aunt Hoover,” and doing the “ballerina” in the dining hall became moments that stayed with him long after camp ended.

What stood out most, though, were the campers themselves.

“One of the most inspiring things was seeing how kids kept persevering, even when things were challenging,” he says. “Kids who were shy came out of their shells. During ‘Roses, Buds, and Thorns,’ you got to see their introspective side and how they were feeling in the moment.”

“It was a really rewarding and heartwarming experience,” he reflects. “Not just because we were helping people, but because I met incredible individuals and learned so much from their stories. And seeing kids who have spent so much time in hospitals finally experience outdoor freedom in a safe space – that was special.”

From stepping into camp for the first time to now helping create those same experiences for others, Shehryar’s journey reflects what Campfire Circle is about – connection, courage, and discovering that you belong, exactly as you are.