Nearly one week ago to the hour, I left camp en route back to Boston. As I sat on the bus, I began trying to type this blog. Every time I typed something, I went back and read it, and decided to scrap it, because it just didn't capture what I was trying to say about my time at camp this summer. Camp is such a crazy vortex to me, because everything that happens there happens so quickly and intensely that once it ends there is this massive camp sized hole that is left to fill in. Now, nearly a week later, I am finally feeling myself returning to a more normal, settled state of mind, thus am much better able to tangibly organize my thoughts (I think). The more I have thought about starting this blog, the more ideas that came to mind about how I wanted to structure it. At first it was going to be a general summary, then a love/hate (hate mostly had to do with hating the goodbyes), and it was nearly a more poignant piece, patch-working specific events. Then as I really got to thinking about this and camp, it truly makes the most sense to write this as a letter. Mike, our director, used letters throughout the summer to illustrate the positive (and some negative) experiences as written by camper parents. He read letters from camp alum, telling us just how important this eight week (nine for some) job really is for kids. Finally, he closed the season by reading us a letter that he wrote himself. Every Tuesday morning, campers and staff alike write letters home, telling their parents about their great experiences, delicious food, and funny counselors. Some folks even send letters when they aren't required. Therefore, here is my letter to camp:
To Camp:
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To the POOPs and Mike:
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(Sorry Stephen, Jack, and Mike for the omission) |
We made it! I know that there were times this summer when it felt as though summer was never going to end. When we finished planning one ACA, lo and behold another one was staring us in the face (same with wide games). When it finally felt like there was a moment to rest, just kidding, there are camper issues that we have to deal with. We were definitely stretched thin this year, but I felt that our experience and strength within our niches served us really well and kept us rolling along smoothly. For all the chaos that we felt, I sincerely believe that the staff and campers had a phenomenal summer. On a personal level, I am so happy I was able to work closely with four such amazing people. In many of my summers past, I have very distinctly felt a power struggle in some way or another, but this year I didn't get that feeling. Some of it had to do with the new structure, but I know that much more of that can be attributed to our friendship and as part of that, our honesty with each other. Thank you all for helping keep all the pieces together and providing an excellent summer!
To the counselors:
When I was a cabin counselor in 2008-2011, I was convinced that we were in the glory years for cabin counselors. I mean think about it: Andrew Massey, Cullen O'Brien, Jack Pettine, Katherine Rattey, Alice Tackett, Amy Johnston, Catherine Johnston, Emily LaPointe, Kelsie Stevens, Liz Pride, Libby Mazzeo, Tricia Labbe, Sam Alfieri, Abbie Duquette (and so many more). For the longest time, I was convinced that Camp Bishopswood had hit its peak and that level of kindess, creativity, and love of camp could not be matched. I am happy to say that I was wrong. The Bishopswood staff of 2016 was absolutely incredible. If someone told me that come 2017 the staff was going to stay exactly the same, I would literally jump for joy. Since I am a camp dinosaur, I know that other factors of life get in the way and prevent people from returning, but I am so happy with the base and culture that you all helped build. It is because of people like you we have campers who come to stay at camp for entire summers or come year after year. It is a true joy to see smiles light up campers' faces when they learn that they will have the same counselors they had the year before, and to watch campers admire their counselors with awe as they lip sync Wrecking Ball. Watching camp from a bird's eye view provides a truly incredible perspective into the way that you all made campers feel special and valued no matter what. I knew from the beginning that this was a group that was at camp for all the right reasons and I was not disappointed. It was a pleasure to witness the growth and maturity from returning counselors as well as the quick uptake from the new staff. Aside from the program stuff, this year provided me with some of my most memorable big group time hang outs as well. They were great, because you all were not only looking for incredible things to do, but wanted to do them with as many staff members as possible. Going to Salmon Falls to cliff jump and rope swing was so sick. I remember before we left thinking: "this could be a really long trip," but as it went along, I really didn't want it to end. Then, a few weeks later, when the whole staff went out to Friendship (a truly fitting name) (Thank you Julian and Chloe), it was unsurprisingly a real treat. This year, for the first time in a few years for sure, I feel like I got to know more staff, really well than I had before. Although it was a tiring summer, I looked forward to staying up until 11 hanging out with every body, and then chances (small though they were) throughout the day to get caught up in conversation. Best of luck to all of you this year, and I hope to see you back at camp next summer!
To the campers:
Campers, THANK YOU! Without all of you, camp would literally not be possible. You provide us with laughs (mostly with you), challenges, stories, jokes, and overall joy. It is because of you all that the staff comes together each year to give you your best summer experience possible. You bring out the best, most creative, kindest side in all of us. Occasionally, you may bring out some crankiness too (but we appreciate that as well). Thank you for coming to camp with excitement and a joy for experiencing all that camp has to offer. Thank you for going to the water front and getting in even on those cold mornings. Thank you for signing up for activities that were not your first choice and showing up and participating in them as if they were! Thank you for humoring Drew and listening to all of his announcements. Thank you for memorable meal time conversations. I could go on and on, but I think people are probably bored by now. You all make camp the place that it is, so thank you for letting us do our thing and following it along even when we are being most ridiculous!
To my weekday time-off crew:
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One of my favorite spots in Waterville |
If you told me that some of my best friends at camp this summer would be three 19 year olds (yes, I know, Alyssa just turned 19), I probably would have laughed it off. However, I would have been wrong. Although we only had two days off together (I dropped the ball on the first one), I sincerely had a great time. Typical times off usually look a little something like this: Hope General Store, Skinny Dip Rock, Nap, Camden (Long Grain), Movie?, Back to camp, Sleep. Maybe breakfast out. However, with Alyssa, Julian, and Kirstyn, we didn't do that, so thank you! Thank you for letting me take you to Waterville (Winslow) to show you what my hometown had to offer! Alyssa and Kirstyn, sorry on behalf of my Dad for trying to pawn you off onto my relatives! Thank you for putting up with my endless rounds of questions and addictive shopping habits. Julian, thank you for driving, and although your music wasn't always what Alyssa wanted to listen to, I really liked it! I look forward to keeping in touch with you all and planning our next "time off" together!
Final Thoughts:
When I first started this summer I arrived thinking "Could this be it for me? Am I getting to old?" The thoughts lingered for about a week, then they quickly disappeared as the summer began to roll. I definitely had a peaks and valleys summer, but only because I felt like I was pouring so much of my energy into the program. Week 6 nearly got me, but thanks to kind words and a great staff, I pulled my way out to have an amazing week 7. In summary, I made great friends, got addicted to coffee for week (not for me), went on a rope swing, planned games for 100 kids, saw my first meteor shower, swam in the ocean, swam in the lake (many times), got a tan line, ate delicious food, strengthened friendships, learned a lot about laundromats, purchased a razor scooter, did a triathlon, spent the night in the health hut, played some pranks, wore a crop top, and most importantly, I got the chance to participate in an amazing camp doing amazing things!
Thank you all for a fantastic summer! Keep in touch!
See you next summer,
Noah