Meet Anji Corley, a multimedia personality and brand ambassador who works across TV, podcasts, radio, travel and more. She also serves as a mentor, having volunteered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters for more than 20 years, in addition to her work with organizations such as Girls Inc., G3 and her church. Recently, Anji collaborated with The Salvation Army to produce a series of disaster response training videos. While on the set, she shared her personal connection to The Salvation Army: attending summer camp at Star Lake Camp as a child. 

Anji grew up primarily with her mom, who, as a single parent, faced the challenges of raising a child on a limited income. When Anji’s mother heard that The Salvation Army provided opportunities for children to attend overnight camp regardless of their financial situation, she jumped at the chance. Anji was an active, albeit shy, child, and her mom believed the camp would be a great fit. But at just seven years old, Anji was understandably nervous. She had never been away from home before, let alone for an overnight camp. To ease her anxiety, Anji’s mother arranged for her best friend’s daughter, Reyna, who was a few years older, to join her at camp. Reya became Anji’s protector, watching out for her during the camp experience. 

Anji recalls being nervous but grateful for Reyna’s help as she boarded the bus for Star Lake. During their two weeks at camp, Anji had two experiences that stood out and have stayed with her over the years. The first was learning how to swim in Star Lake, a skill that filled her with joy. “I was never so happy,” Anji says, adding that she wrote to her mother with excitement, and she’s sure her mom still has that letter. The second was the deepening of her friendship with Reyna, who stood up for Anji when she felt older kids at camp were unkind. “I was so shy,” Anji remembers. “Reyna stood up for me, and I’ll never forget that. I tell her, ‘Thank you for keeping me safe at camp.’” 

Anji’s experience at camp was about more than just fun — it was about transformation. “It set the groundwork for my quest for new experiences. It opened up a whole new world for me. The world is so big, so open, ” Anji reflects. Summer camp introduced her to timeless activities like bonfires with s’mores, campfire stories, nature hikes, and swimming in the lake. Things that, although many kids don’t experience in their daily lives, are still part of The Salvation Army camp experience. “I was nervous to try those things, but I loved them once I did.  By the next summer, I couldn’t wait to go back. It was just a beautiful experience,” she says. 

In addition to fun and games, Salvation Army summer camps offer spiritual teaching, something Anji credits with shaping her faith-based personal life. “In my experience, The Salvation Army was very synonymous with knowing a higher power, knowing who Jesus Christ is,” she says. “It’s okay to say it and to be part of it. A new experience can turn into a lifelong experience of recognizing the church and knowing Jesus is great.”

Anji believes that parents considering sending their children to a Salvation Army summer camp should absolutely do so. “I know some parents might feel nervous about sending their kids away. But this experience positively impacted my life,” she says. “It gave me confidence, I felt supported, and I never felt afraid while I was there. I was in good hands. What I received from Salvation Army camps will last forever.” 

The memories Anji holds from her time at camp helped shape the person she is today — a hardworking, dedicated and positive role model. And there’s no telling what grand plans God has in store for this summer’s group of campers. 

To learn more about Anji’s work, visit anjicorley.com or listen to her fashion-based “HSN Podcast.” Readers in the Tampa Bay area can also catch her R&B radio show “101.5 The Vibe” on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.