Everyone has a story to tell. It can be scary, funny, or motivational. Madisyn Lambrakis is not any different.

She visited Camp Eberhart in Michigan this past summer and her experience was life-changing. Camp Eberhart specializes in offering a summer program for young women as an extension of the Michiana YMCA.

“Camp Eberhart has several opportunities and activities for everyone to participate in. However, one of the programs that I think makes Eberhart special is one called, “Ragging”.”

The word rag might have a bad connotation: it’s literal meaning is to make fun of something in a loud manner, but Eberhart’s given meaning to the word is much more inspiring.

“Ragging is when you approach a camp counselor and ask to take part in “ragging” with them. From there you spend the rest of the week becoming closer to your chosen counselor, and with them you set a goal.”

Ragging to Camp Eberhart’s attendees does not mean to make fun of others, it focuses more on teaching you about social skills, and allowing the attendee to go through with something he has set his mind to. It teaches the life lesson of completing a goal or a promise.

Madisyn said this regarding the goals one could set, “This goal can be as small as wanting to jump off a diving board, or it can be something that means a lot to you personally. During the week, you talk with your camp counselor on how to achieve or maintain your goal.”

Ragging serves a great purpose for those who find themselves in stressful situations, typical to most teenagers.

Madisyn said, “Ragging is extremely important to me and hundreds of other people. Being at camp can get a bit overwhelming at times, and having moments throughout the week to just sit down and talk to someone with absolutely no judgement is a great feeling.”

The week ends off with a beautiful ceremony. The ceremony consists of simply receiving the rag in front of other participating camp members and their chosen counselors; it’s moving in the sense that you’ve set that goal for yourself with the help of that other person.

“By the end of the week, a ceremony is held where you are granted your rag. This rag is tied into a knot by your counselor. The knot represents your goal, and whenever you feel like you are slipping away from this goal you can look at the knot and reflect on your time at Camp Eberhart and the goal that you once set.”

One might ask what importance does this have Well to Madisyn it means going back each year to set news goal and to accomplish them.

“This past summer was my first time at Camp Eberhart, and I can’t wait to go back for years to come and take part in this amazing program.”