The Vista Vault: Alumni Spotlight
Welcome to The Vista Vault, second edition, our monthly blog series where we reconnect with former campers and counselors to relive their unforgettable experiences at the best Texas summer camp, Vista Camps. Each month, we’ll open the vault and take a trip down memory lane, highlighting the journeys, stories, and impact Vista Camps has had on those who’ve spent their summers on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Hunt, TX, in the Texas Hill Country. From life-changing friendships to funny camp moments, join us as we explore where they are now and how their time at camp helped shape who they’ve become. Stay tuned for exciting stories from our amazing Vista alumni!
Name: Susan (Bernstein) Matthews
What years did you attend or work at Vista Camps? Camper from 1985 to 1993. Counselor from 1995 to 1998. SV Program Director in 1999.
What was your favorite camp activity or tradition? Way too many to list. Impossible question! Can’t pick just 1 thing. I loved Horseback, JFF, Water Skiing and Sailing. As for traditions, I loved being on Kiowa tribe hill, getting to watch the younger kids during Rest Period as a Starguider when the counselors had a short meeting, down time with my friends in the cabin, and the excitement of big tribe comps like SV Olympics, Superthon and War Canoe.
Who was the camp counselor or mentor that influenced you the most during your time at Vista? Donna Rogers, a long time SV Program Director, probably had the biggest impact on me. She’s the reason I wanted to become a Program Director myself and I did! Loved her leadership style.
Did you take any life-lessons away from camp? So many! I learned to come out of my shell and be a leader even when I wasn’t always confident about what to do. But sometimes you just have to step up and make it work. I learned to share my living space, and I was a much better college roommate because of it. As a counselor, I learned to Fake It ‘Til You Make It. Sometimes you’re tired or not in the mood, but when the kids are counting on you or the staff is looking to you to lead, you just get the job done and do it well.
What are you up to now, both personally and professionally? I live in San Diego with my husband Brian, daughter Lila and son Quinn. I am a Project Manager for a marketing strategy and media buying agency. Plus, I volunteer at my kids’ school a good bit. We love to travel, try new restaurants, go for hikes in the nearby Mount Laguna in Cleveland National Forest, enjoying the beach, and long walks with our dog Sunny.
Do you still have a link to Vista? My dad went to Rio Vista and my kids are/were campers. My brother was an RV camper, and my nephew currently goes as well!
How has your experience at Vista Camps shaped your life of career? My college essay when applying started off with a story about war canoe. After college I found that in job interviews I often used an experience from camp to answer hard questions. A story about pushing myself, working with others or being a leader. They were always well received. I recreated the SV Laugh Olympics with my San Diego friends for my 30th birthday. I have hung out with international counselors when traveling which made my trips so much better (Andrew Wilkins in London; Laura Collins in Sydney, Australia). But more than that, I find that camp made me a better person. I learned from my family and my synagogue how to be a good person. But their words and teachings were mostly in theory. Camp was a time when I got to test myself with real life experiences. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without camp. I learned so much from my counselors and fellow campers. Camp was a safe place where I could make mistakes, learn from them, and bounce back better, smarter and stronger. I am forever grateful to the Hawkins family for building Sierra Vista.
Have you stayed in touch with any friends from camp? Definitely. Two of them were in my bridal party. And many of them I have seen or at least communicate with over social media on a somewhat regular basis. And now that I bring my own kids to camp, I love seeing so many old friends at closing day.
What was your favorite camp song or tribe cheer? Whaticanchew - editors note (we need to work on bringing this one back on the RV side).
What advice would you give to current Vista campers/counselors? Put your everything into camp even when you aren’t feeling like it. There are so many great memories to make if you are open to enjoying all the little moments, open to trying new things, and open to making new friends.
If you could go back to camp for a day, what’s the first thing you’d do? Gather all my camp friends and make a plan to spend the day doing activities (blob, horseback, etc.) and spend the evening breaking up into our tribes and having some friendly competition.
Has the Vista experience influenced any of your hobbies or interests? I’m open to trying new things thanks to camp. I’m not afraid of the unknown. I’m not embarrased that I don’t immediately know how to do something well.
What is one camp tradition you hope will never change? Leadership roles (Tribe, Caballeras, Starguider, etc.) so the kids always have something to aspire to. And old kids to look up to and learn from.
What’s your favorite camp meal or snack that you still think about? Mrs. Becky’s rolls. And the dinner we made up at the overnight camp site.
If you could describe your time at Vista Camps in 3 words, what would they be? Life Changing Experience!
Would you like to be featured, or can you think of someone who you’d like to see featured on The Vista Vault: Alumni Spotlight? Send them this link and have them fill out their information!
