10 Things I Learned From My Camp Everygirl Experience
I recently attended The Everygirl’s Camp Everygirl in Marble Falls, Texas. 100 women of all ages and backgrounds came together to experience an adult summer camp, and I was lucky enough to be one of them.
My intentions for the trip were to explore a place I’d never been, meet new people, and let myself play. I had never been to Texas or a summer camp and a lot of my travels in adulthood have placed emphasis on healing my inner child.
So, when the opportunity for Camp Everygirl appeared in front of me, I knew I had to take advantage! It was marketed as an escape from everyday life and a fun way to connect with like-minded women.
Given that I just started a business and have taken on more serious characteristics in order to be productive, network, and lead a team, I’ve naturally struggled with work/life balance. Camp Everygirl came into my life at the perfect time.
Here are 10 things I learned from my experience.
Traveling alone is one of the best forms of medicine
This trip wasn’t the first time I’ve traveled alone, but it did remind me how much I love to do it. You’re forced to be with your own thoughts, and you only have yourself to rely on to get you where you need to go.
It helps build self-trust and independence. It’s incredibly healing (at least for me) to walk alone, listen to music, read a good book, and buy yourself a chai latte. I give myself whatever I want when I travel as a form of self-love.
There’s also something really special about being alone in a sea of people. You learn the importance of emotional regulation and comfortability in taking up space. And you learn that you’re not the only one traveling alone—tons of people are doing it.
Talking with strangers is a good way to build self-confidence
Camp Everygirl was full of women and activities packed into one weekend. It was almost impossible to meet every person there. It felt like every time I sat down to eat a meal, I was surrounded by new faces and new stories.
It was exciting! And I became pretty comfortable with introducing myself and asking about others. It really helped me gain confidence in my networking skills. Questions like, “Where are you from?” and “What made you want to come to camp?” stirred up unique conversations.
By the end of camp, {most of} the women weren’t strangers anymore. For those I didn’t get to talk to, a friendly smile when walking past them felt like enough to connect us. Who knew building self-confidence was as simple as asking, “What do you do for work?”
Our bodies are capable of doing hard things
I couldn’t be in Texas Hill Country without joining the 7am hike, so I laced up and joined the girls bright and early.
I would say I’ve been leading a somewhat active lifestyle, so my endurance is not the best it can be. When I tell you the hike got tough at some points, I’m not exaggerating. But you know what? My body kept up. And it was a beautiful thing to experience.
Our hike taught me that no matter how much I loathe, shame, or resent my body, it will always show up for me. My body is strong and capable, and I owe it to myself to move it with love and kindness for as long as I can.
I’m vibrating at a high frequency and am processing tough emotions
The most insightful experience I had at Camp Everygirl was the breathwork session led by Natasha Baillères from WeBreathe. She began by explaining the purpose of breathwork and the difference it has made in her life. I immediately felt a connection to her.
The session was full of unique breath cycles and speeds intended to evoke emotion in the body. At one point, I laid down in a reclined butterfly position because our hips store tough emotions. With my eyes closed, I felt Natasha opening my legs wider as a way to release the feelings.
It was the biggest breath I had taken so far.
After we ended, I went up to Natasha and asked if she felt the same energy with me as I did with her. She immediately said yes and proceeded to tell me that she can sense I’m vibrating at a really high frequency (talk about the best compliment I’ve ever received!!)
I asked her if the stretch she supported me in took away those tough emotions I’ve been holding onto. She replied, “You’re already processing them. I’m not sure if it’s shame or maybe rejection you’ve been dealing with, but you’re doing all the right things to move them.”
It wasn’t a coincidence that I felt called to write down “I release shame” right before having this conversation with Natasha. There was so much about the breathwork experience that was divinely connected and if nothing else, it gave me the validation that I’m on the right path.
Reading at the pool is the epitome of rest
I’ve always preferred pool over beach, and when that pool looks like the one at Lava Springs in High School Musical 2, I’m inevitably going to be in heaven. Add in cute tube floats and tons of women wanting to get to know you, and it’s officially the perfect afternoon.
No matter if you wanted to swim, float, tan, sleep, or read, it was all welcomed. I started a new book (Before We Were Innocent) while basking in the sun’s heat under a yellow umbrella. I loved having the splash of water and girls laughing as my background sound.
There was something really special about resting and rejuvenating with so many amazing women. This activity was definitely my most restful moment of the weekend (my book is really good by the way).
I actually do like classic margaritas
Admittedly, this one’s kind of funny but it was something I learned at Camp Everygirl. I like a classic margarita! It could have been the Texas air, scenery of cacti, or the beautiful “watering hole,” but when everyone else started ordering margaritas, I felt the need to order one too.
It just fit the vibe, and that first sip was so refreshing. We were given drink tickets for the duration of camp and I always looked forward to happy hour because I knew the cocktails would be delicious and the energy would be invigorating.
One of my favorite evenings of camp started with drinks on the pavilion lawn. I sat in a rocking chair watching women saunter in, and cheers’d a new friend “to kindred spirits.” It wasn’t the margarita giving me a warm fuzzy feeling, but I’m sure it helped 😉
Most women really do want to uplift and support one another
Since The Everygirl is a women’s media brand I’ve been following for years, they’ve definitely played a role in my vision for Butterfly. Not only was I surrounded by other women who love The Everygirl and their message, but I was also with the C-suite leaders of The Everygirl!
I had some really amazing conversations with their team and they gave me insight I just haven’t had access to yet. They’re running the type of business I want to be running, and their advice is invaluable to me.
The best part? They were so happy for me. They wanted to help me in whatever way they could. And they hope I succeed. Women can and do support women everyday, and I believe this is exactly what makes the world go round.
Yoga is absolutely my favorite way to connect with myself
I love yoga more than most things, and doing yoga in a beautiful courtyard with women of all shapes, sizes, and abilities was incredibly healing. The instructor was gentle and inviting, and the sounds of the birds made my practice all the more calming.
When I have a difficult time being present or mindful, it’s usually because I’m not connecting with myself. I came to Camp Everygirl being disconnected and burnt out, but I felt that all shift with this outdoor yoga class.
I’ve found that breathing in union with movement is one of the best ways to connect, center, and ground. This class reminded me that in the chaos of everyday life, I always have yoga. And perhaps I should explore more outdoor yoga options in my area!
Dancing and singing with a group of women is healing for the soul
On our last night, we enjoyed genuine fun and womanhood. With a DJ, twinkling lights, and glasses of wine, our dancefloor was set. We danced, sang, and laughed together under the stars. It was one of the most memorable experiences of the camp.
I loved every part of dancing with my new friends. It was so easy to be in the moment, not thinking about my daily worries. Of course it helped that Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman! has such good lyrics.
“The best thing about bein’ a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun. Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy, forget I’m a lady.”
Surface-level connections and fun activities are just as important as deep ones
Camp Everygirl was very different from the self-love retreat I attended in Portugal in January 2024. There were 100 girls as opposed to 20, and there were camp activities rather than sharing circles.
I knew going into it, that it probably wouldn’t have the same impact on my life as Portugal did. But I was okay with that. I wasn’t really looking for deep connections and heavy internal work. I wanted fun, joy, and lightheartedness, and that’s exactly what I got.
Camp Everygirl gave me the freedom to play. The permission to escape. The privilege to unwind. The space to share the good.
And above all else, Camp Everygirl proved again what I already knew to be true—women in community with one another is pure magic.
