We watched with heavy hearts as our first session girls rolled out on buses early Friday morning. Huddles of their friends were waving wildly, teary-eyed, until they were no longer in sight.

I always have a mix of emotions at this time, sad that their season is over yet joyful that these girls have accomplished so much during their three-and-a-half weeks. They have tackled new sports, on land and on water.  Most importantly they have forged new friendships and deepened old friendships with their Agawak sisters. This is what strikes me the most at this time, as the winds are shifting and girls are leaving and our second session campers are en route.

Although we only spend a few short weeks out of the year together they are building lifelong relationships at this, their summer home, a home not connected by genes but by loyalty and history. This is the safe place where I watch girls disconnect from busy and hurried lives and discover different and deeper parts of their personalities.

Apart from parents and school routines, they must develop independence, resilience and tenacity – crucial life skills that will form the backbone of successful adult lives.

As they sat around the campfire last night, their faces were aglow with the love they have for each other and the irrepressible Agawak spirit. These qualities are apparent everywhere at camp, in the cabins, in activities, in Blue and White games and in everyday comings and goings as campers travel our beautiful campgrounds hand in hand, arm in arm. Many special feelings were shared last night. Campfire girl Ava spoke from her heart and expressed herself beautifully. Below is an excerpt from her speech:

“I throw this key-log into the fire for love. I love this camp. I love my cabin, I love my family. I love fighting for Blue &White. I love my counselors. I love Agawak and all the memories I’ve made here. Camp is everything to me and I don’t know what I would do without it because I’ve become a better person ever since I’ve come to camp. I’ve learned to be a friend and to be on my own. I’ve learned valuable life skills that will shape me into a better person. Thank you cabin 11 for being my best friends. Next year will be awesome again and I’m so excited to be able to have another unforgettable summer. Agawak is my favorite place on earth and each year it gets better and better which makes me want to come back every year."

While I tell the girls to express to their parent’s gratitude for the gift of coming to summer camp it is I who is supremely grateful for the gift of your children, who bring me so much happiness and pride. I remind the girls that life at camp has some hard days and mostly great days, and that it will be their ability to persevere through all the days that will make their Agawak experiences a highlight of their whole lives, with memories and friends that do last a lifetime. This is what the letters and phone calls from alumnae during the past 27 years at Agawak always tell me!

With much love and thankfulness,

Mary