Celebrate

The celebration of our campers will be the theme of the rest of the summer, it will be obvious every night. All EP’s will feature campers, and these programs will be amazing. Most EP’s involve campers being entertained by counselors… but now the campers will entertain the camp with their talents and skills. Senior Celebration (basically a talent show topped off with a “crowning” of the queen and her court- elected by the campers in a vote a couple days ago), Junior Play, Production Night, Water Show, Council Fire, Derby Day and Play, Closing Vespers, and Banquet- all these programs celebrate the campers, lift them up and showcase their talent. It is a wonderful way to end a wonderful month.

I am particularly excited about the Senior Celebration this evening. Seeing the “Castle Girls” together is an inspiration. Many of these girls are celebrating friendships that go back as far as they can remember. Friendships that they expect to last a lifetime. Friendships based on quality character traits that endure (honesty, sincerety, courage, kindness, faith, hope, and love). Life is better with friends like these.

This last week goes by very fast for everyone. Counselors have a lot of work to do: classes are very busy during the day and they are spending every spare hour working on the banquet (the banquet requires a month long preparation, good thing it is fun). Campers feel that same sense of urgency, we remind them to appreciate every day and make camp what they dreamed it would be… and to do it today. I have described it like a roller coaster whose momentum that whose momentum now carries it around curves and over humps, we just hold on. A blink of the eye and it is over. Never ceases to amaze me how quickly time goes by when you fit so much into a day.

It has gotten increasingly difficult to get out for pictures, my days are too often tied to the desk with only little “paroles” granted from my office arrest.

Today I took 30 minutes after Assembly to walk down to the barn and back… it was good for my soul. I prefer to be out in camp, especially now. There is much to celebrate at this point in the summer. The counselors are at their peak, the campers shine, and the facility has a well worn patina of love. Grass is not as lush (it has been stepped on, rolled on, jumped on, danced on for two summer months… still pretty, but on closer inspection not lush). Little bits of trash (skittle wrappers, plastic cups, apple core, corn husk, a lone sock) poke out of unexpected places, reminders of moments passed in exuberance not long ago. Cabin porches are laden with damp towels and bathing suits, and most of our decks could use a good power washing. The imperfections of the facility are each a result of the impact of a loving community living large… they make me happy.

I hate to see this summer end. The passing years enhance my appreciation of camp. Why can’t the “real world” be more like this? Many of you know what I am talking about, but if you have never been a camper (at any camp… I like them all), you might think it is a bit of bull (self serving propoganda). I sincerely think that camp is the best thing that is out there for growth in childhood. Heaven will be a lot like this. A place filled with Love, Beauty, and Faithful Friends.

Thank you for reading. I know you are busy, as I remember the “real world” is a busy place too… sometimes we forget how much you sacrifice to stay up to date with your campers experience. Thank you for taking the time.