Bonding With Friends at Tennis Camp

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Bonding With Friends at Tennis Camp

During the summer months following my seventh grade school year, I was

involved in tennis camp activities with two of my closest friends, Suzanne and

Erin. This was the first time that we were able to get to know each other

better away from school since we did not have any classes together that year.

Even though we were good friends, I had never felt a sense of camaraderie with

either of them because they participated in sports, while I was involved in

academics and other school activities. Not having had any paritcular interest

in sports before the summer camp session, it was surprising that I became

completely enthralled with the sport of tennis.

Tennis proved to be my initial experience with the bonding of my other two

friends as this was an activity that each of us would be learning for the first

time together. We were placed in the beginner group which introduced us to the

sport and taught us the basic skills. My problem was that I didn't want to

learn the introductory aspect of tennis, I wanted to start playing the actual

game. While Suzanne and Erin were diligently practicing their forehand and

backhand motions, I took private lessons focusing on my serve. Glancing their

way, I would see them laughing and chatting as they walked to the clubhouse for

a snack during a break. By expending all my energy on the game, I had hoped

that my friends would respect my ability and that it would bring us closer

together. Instead, I felt they were ostracizing me, which wasn't truly the case.

Even so, Suzanne and Erin had developed a tight relationship of which I was

envious. The closer they became, the worse I felt because I wanted to share

equually in the friendship.

The bonding of our friendship did come about from another distinctive part

of the tennis camp experience. Assuming that I had mastered the basics and

proceeded to a more advanced level, Suzanne and Erin thought I wouldn't be

interested in joining them in their practice sessions. I felt very hurt and

left out as I ardently wanted to share practices and be a part of their team.

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