Hi! I am at the Double H Ranch today. Some of you are reading this from the orange chairs around me. Others are at home. I wanted to introduce you all.
Double H Camp graduates, I am Amanda.
Readers of AmandaMagee.com this is Double H.

It is more magical and life changing than I could ever hope to articulate. I am here today to teach a couple of workshops on blogging and social media. I thought it would be incredible if some of you could leave a comment directed toward 17-21-year-olds who are exploring social media. Specifically talking about how it can be a place to build community, to learn, or just to explore who you are.
I know this is sort of unorthodox, but it’s also a thread of beauty and hope, something I feel we could all sure use. So tell us about who you are, something that has been positive for you, or a tip you would give about how to make the most of their time online.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And, to the campers here with me today, I am so very honored. Let’s have some fun!
Here, I’ll start. One of my favorite things about social media and blogging is that I can find ways to say things that in person might make my voice shake. Practicing that has actually made me do better at talking to people in real life.
I am an older person. I have retired from a full time career and don’t want to be “left behind” by not having people to talk to every day and learn from. So I have selected many thought leaders, authors, citizens young and old to be on my Twitter feed. I love to follow, and participate in “talking” each day with people with different, and:or affirming opinions.
I use Facebook to keep all my friends “near” so I won’t feel lonely.
I love social media because it allows me today to give a shout out to all of you awesome people at Double H and my girl Kaitlyn W. who is an alumni camper this week in the Muskrats! You go babe! Hope you all are off to an amazing session at camp!
We love double hh
Social media gives us a platform and an audience to change the world for the better. Use your power wisely.
-Advice from a former counselor/unit leader/admissions coordinator. Double H Ranch changed me in so many ways and I’m grateful to be a part of this family!
I’m a stay-at-home mom and over 50. I enjoy social media to get inspiration for my daily life and to feel connected to friends and family. I realized though I have to be careful about who I follow on Twitter because I was following a lot of accounts that shared my view/opinion but that is not reality. Now I try to follow a variety of accounts to get a better sense of what people are thinking and feeling. My favorite site is Instagram and following life style and decor bloggers.
Social Media gets a lot of negative press lately. Yes there are people who use it in an inappropriate way, but it can also be an opportunity to bring people together. Regardless of the miles between people, you can share your lives and interests in a positive way through social media.
I believe as a mom of a first time camper this year that social media gives her the opportunity to stay in touch…
I’m pretty self-conscious about the way I look right now after my surgeries for cancer. Social media keeps me in touch with people so I don’t feel alone!
Hi campers! We love you! I’m a cancer survivor, and I’m so glad you have a place like Double H to go to!
Find your tribe on social media. There are people who share your interests, values, perspectives. Find them and be bold enough to say hello. I met Amanda on Twitter – don’t remember who found whom. But we are friends and encouragers for each other. (She is for me, at least!) I literally have dozens of similar examples. I have friends across the country and around the world who make me think, encourage me when I am shaky, connect me when I feel lost. Bonus is that I’m an introvert, so the social drain is low, reward is high!
Hi every one! SO I just started to get on social media because I have daughters who are in their late teens, early twenties, I get to keep up with their “going ons”, we tag each other all the time and comment on FB posts AND more often than not, they get back to me a lot quicker this way!! I also love love love crafts and antiquing so I get to see what antique fairs and craft shows are coming up and get really great decorating ideas from others!! Have a great day!!
Hi Double H Alumni! I am at Double H in the winter for the ski program. Double H is magical. I too, am older, and I like social media since it keeps me connected to family in friends all around the country. I like to post pictures and quotes that will bring a smile to someone’s day. Sometimes, it is the only way I can reach my beautiful nieces and nephew in a hurry! Enjoy your day!
Hello Double H!!! I am Tara H. a sadly retired (for now) counselor from HH and Occupational Therapist. Social media and an online presence is an amazing way to allow your voice to be heard. It can do wonderful things when used for good. I think it is important to remember that the images on instagram or online are not depicting all of the story just the peices that want to be shown. So don’t compare yourself to someone else’s highlight reel. So my advice would be to…
1. Share your authentic self
2. Always remember you are speaking to real humans, sometimes people forget that
3. Be kind and make sure what you post is a good respresentation of yourself, the internet is perminent.
Have fun Alumni campers!!!!
Hi everyone! My name is Alice and I’ve spent the last decade of my life making social media/blogging my day job (and night job, and weekend job… you get the idea). My advice to you is to always be flexiable. Social media platforms are like waves, be watching & get ready to catch the next one. Always listen and learn from those around you. We can always learn from each other. Lastly, don’t forget that there are real hearts, faces and souls behind the keyboards and screens. The beauty of social media is connection. Connect with kindness.
I am retired and I don’t tweet but I do follow Facebook and make comments when something interests me. So that way I keep in touch with what is happening
I love writing a blog because I can carve out a tiny, happy, positive place in this endlessly difficult world. I like social media because I can custom tailor where I get my news and I can meet people who I would likely never have met any other way.