Going for Camp Alone

Hello, well firstly, it's best to keep a positive mindset. Worrying too much about the situation will only stress yourself out further. To make it less awkward, you simply have to make a goal to speak up a bit more and to make your presence known so you're more comfortable with people reacting to you. Don't think too much about what people think, because you are you. Find people who share the same interests, hobbies, goals as you. Every friendship starts with one or two before expanding into a small circle or a whole camp. It all has it's process. Also, to get better knowledge and to feel better about the people there, you can probably also ask your friend, the organizer, more information regarding the camp or its people, especially the main objective of the camp. I'm sure that the camp is held for a specific objective, and if you can grasp the objective well, you're going to correlate well with the other people in the camp as well, because most likely, most of them are there for that objective as well.

Hi. Firstly I want to say that you are doing such a brilliant job, even though you are feeling anxious, you're still going through with your plans, and that's amazing.

About calming down, I know it sounds a bit silly, but take a few very deep breaths. The breath is what anchors you in the now and can calm you down immensely. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 1 second then breathe out for 5. Repeat this a couple of times till your heart starts beating slower and you begin to feel more relaxed.

If you want to make friends while you there, I suggest asking your friend to introduce you to some people. Or if he's sitting somewhere with some other people, just sit next to him. You don't even have to say anything, you could wait until he involves you in the conversation if you're more comfortable with that. Ofcourse speaking up and joining in on conversation is quicker, but I understand if that's too hard because of your anxiety. And that's okay. You need only go as fast as you're comfortable with, no matter if that's baby steps or large jumps.
Personally, when I want to join a conversation but don't really know how, I just use humor. I wait till the right time and when I see an opportunity I make a joke or a funny comment. That way, people will start acknowledging you and see you as a friend without you having to talk a lot.

Have fun!

Awwww. *hugs* Try to make a list of things you can enjoy about camp such as smores and stargazing! If you don't know others right away that is okay. Just do your best to be brave and reach out a little and that is good enough. :) Ands props to you for putting yourself out there! <3 <3