Thank you to our wonderful parents who traveled far and wide to attend parent’s visiting day. We realize it’s quite a trek for you and appreciate all who came to watch your daughter ski, shoot an arrow or two, and maneuver up the tango tower. It’s an emotional time for all of us and personally I’m glad it’s behind us so we can focus once again on creating great summer memories.

Second session is off to a super start. New campers are getting settled, forging new friendships and becoming familiar with a place that will eventually become their second home.  Returning campers tell me they’re glad parent’s weekend is behind them and are happy to be back at camp amongst old friends. Campers are tubing choppy waters this afternoon and running from picnic table to picnic table selecting their activities. Tomorrow we will be in full swing with a full day of activities. Tonight first time campers will be inducted into their Blue or White teams and the history of Blue and White will continue.

Over the next several weeks, campers can expect lots of new surprises, but camp also brings the familiarity of a second family and home. For campers, camp is a touchstone of people, activities and events on which they can depend on each summer. For those who never experienced summer camp, it’s difficult to imagine forming such tight bonds with others in the span of a month or two. All of us who have attended or worked at a summer camp understand camp is more than a place where campers go to have fun and enjoy the outdoors and new activities. It’s a place where friendships and networks are formed that last long beyond the teary goodbyes and hugs that mark the end of a session. Although ten months pass between summers, when campers return, it inevitably feels like everyone was together just minutes ago. When the buses pulled in this afternoon hugs were plentiful as campers reunited with their camp family. I guess family is comprised of people who accept each other for who they are, in spite of any and all flaws, and encourage each other to be themselves. For our campers, their camp “family” is no different which is what makes us all so eager to return even if it means having to say goodbye to our parents one more time.

I’d like all of you to know we have a very happy camp right now. Any teary eye you may have had to wipe saying goodbye has been replaced with a smile. Please don’t worry about your daughter.  She is currently surrounded by many people who care about her happiness.  Have a relaxing night.

Kind regards,

Mary