Camp Blog

As the Summer Comes to an End...

by: 
Camp Director

The past two days have come and gone like an hour. Camp is over in the blink of an eye. Where did our summer go?  Watching closing Blue & White ceremonies was emotional for all. Both teams’ performances were exceptionally spirited, creative and touching.  Every year I am astonished at the resourcefulness, and the vision of the CIT’s and captains.  Every summer an innovative theme is used by both teams for closing.  Just when I think the previous year’s closing performance can’t be topped, I am proven wrong.  I say with all honestly when I say, “I have some of the brightest campers assembled at Agawak.”  I wish all of you could have witnessed the magic of closing ceremonies. The Blue Team captured the victory for the summer but the White Team gave an incredible effort each inch of the way.  Every day you win some and you lose some.  In the end… we’re a family of sisters. No matter who wins or loses…. we’re a camp of one!


Our final campfire together began outdoors. Rumbles of thunder in the distance had some of us screaming in between our favorite camp songs.   Campers chanted, “We’ve got grit. We’ve got grit.” It was obvious they didn’t want to take our campfire indoors.   Moments after, the rain hit us hard. We made a mad dash towards Happy Camper Hall and nestled in for more songs and key-log speeches.  I don’t ever recall having to light candles on the wish boats inside.  It wasn’t ideal but what happened at the end was priceless.  As we lit individual wish boats everyone took their designated places.  We waited until all wish boats we lit. Then, in silence everyone made a silent wish.  Campers and staff were instructed to blow out their candle once they made their wish and they were ready to blow out their candle for the summer.  No one wanted to blow out their candle. I felt as if everyone wanted to be the last person to extinguish their flame.  In my heart I knew it would be one of the CIT’s. What happened was beautiful and unplanned.  Eleven CIT’s no longer campers, stood side by side as their 11 candles blazed over us from the upper deck of Happy Camper Hall. Then without a single word, in unison, these 11 lights went dark.  Crying and sobs took over. It was a giant hug fest. Wow!! What a summer we have had.


Each summer I am reminded just how powerful the lessons we learn at camp are. Camp & the lessons learned have the power to change and mold our lives forever. They have the power to make us feel happy. They have the power to make people feel connected, cared for and loved. Camp has the power to bring us closer together and form significant relationships with those once considered strangers, now considered friends. The lessons we learn at camp can never be undone. There is no turning back once you’ve been to camp.  Each of us is forever changed by what we have learned, what we have overcome and what we have accomplished this summer. I am proud of all my campers and staff. It was an extraordinary summer. 


The buses pulled away this morning and those left here felt an emptiness that can’t be described. It’s a camp thing.  Once we dried our eyes it was time to focus on getting camp spruced up for post camp and our 93rd Agawak reunion.  Campers age 24 to 81 will frolic on Blue Lake like they used to do when they were ten.  I’m looking forward to hearing old stories and reminiscing with those young and old.


Even though I’m still at camp, I feel camp sick. I can’t imagine how my campers feel when they return home. Parents give them time to adjust back to the “real world”. Don’t be surprised if they start crying for no reason or say they miss camp. It’s normal. It doesn’t mean they’re not happy to be home. It just means they love camp and have become accustomed to its special ways & special people.


Take care. Be well & may the trails that we follow eventually lead us back to Agawak one day.


World’s happiest camp director,


Mary