Leaves have fallen, snow blankets the camp grounds and I am reminded that another cold winter is in store for us up north. I long for a warm summer day surrounded by my campers and staff.  This time of year I seem to get “camp sick”.  All summer long we are brought together to work collectively, to communicate, learn from one another, and develop true friendships.  We learn the give and take of a group setting and come to rely on one another for support and guidance. I love everything about camp but the greatest thing is the sense of belonging camp gives each of us no matter what our age is.

Research shows that true self-esteem doesn’t come from what people say but from overcoming hurdles and developing skills. With assistance from my amazing staff, campers learn to accomplish goals and master various skills. There is no better feeling than climbing to the top of the Tango Tower, getting up on skies for the first time, paddling your heart out in the war canoes or getting your first bull’s eye. Each success builds confidence and a willingness to try other new challenges. I still believe that the gift of camp is the greatest gift you can give a child. My countdown for next summer has begun and I wait in anticipation for all of you to return home to once again challenge yourselves and grow personally.

Even though it’s quiet at camp in the off season, we have been diligently working hard as we prepare for the summer of 2015. Cabins D and J are currently getting a makeover with updating the bathrooms and new flooring.  We are planning to redo the lodge floor and roof before the first camper steps off the bus on June 24th. Winter will go fast with all these projects underway.  For all you avid gymnastic and cheerleading girls you’ll be delighted to hear we are adding a 40 foot tumbling strip to our gymnastics program which will allow you to improve your tumbling skills.

Since the buses rolled out of camp in August I’ve been all over the country recruiting, reuniting with campers and making program and facility improvements around camp.  My Indiana campers were the first to view the 2014 highlight video in October produced by Claire Whittle in Australia. We gathered at the home of Sylvie and Claudia Siegel.  In early November, I flew to Columbus and Cincinnati to meet and greet new and veteran Ohio campers. In Ohio we gathered together in the Fisher family TV room and watched the DVD. I’ll admit I had tears in my eyes as the DVD ended. Although I’ve already watched the DVD a few times I look forward to sharing it again with everyone at the Illinois reunion on Sunday, January 11th at Pinstripes in Northbrook. The reunion will run from 1:00-3:00pm.

While I was braving cooler reunion temperatures Suzi was lucky enough to head to a much warmer climate for the Houston reunion.  Gracie and Sophie Halperin opened their home up for this event and as always the Halperins showcased their southern hospitality. The highlight of these reunion trips is being able to catch up and reminiscence with our spirited and wonderful campers who travel quite a distance to join us each summer. All of you are an important part of our camp program.  I’d like to thank the Siegel, Fisher and Halperin families for graciously hosting our winter get-togethers. In conjunction with our new camper orientation, the CA reunion is also scheduled for Sunday, February 8th at the home of Lila and Annabelle Mass. More information will follow on the Illinois and California reunions and new camper orientation so stay tuned but remember to mark your calendars.

If any of you are wondering what to do with all of your beloved Agawak t-shirts, check out Agawak Alumnae Jenna Davis’ website.

http://www.memorythreads.com/blog/camp-agawak-t-shirt-quilt

What a creative way to make a keepsake out of your camp t-shirts.

For the past few months I have been busy visiting new families from all over. I’d like to welcome the following new campers to the Agawak family.  This group represents a fresh and energetic bunch of new campers from 6 different states.  I am excited for every one of them. Their camping days have just begun and they are about to embark on an incredible growth and LIFECHANGING adventure. 

Chloe Bentely  Meah Bentely       Anna Brady             Carly Braverman
Aliza Cohn       Noa Cooper       Oliva Engerman        Jillian Giller
Daisy Glazier   Styra Goldblatt     Sophia Goldsmith    Olivia Gordon
Kate Isaacson   Maya Kassof        Sydney Kohn           Meredith Lederer
Summer Lipp    Casey Luchs        Hannah Margulis      Carmen Merkel
Maidson Olsen  Brooke Olsen     Elizabeth Paull         Meredith Polonsky
Ava Schulman   Allyson Shapiro    Zoe Siegel              Ashley Strauss
Leni Thomas     Kate Winicour     Skylar Worthern    Samantha Wallensack

Believe me, we have lots of fun things in store for the summer of 2015. The slogan for this summer is….

United we stand, divided we fall. In 2015, AGAWAK’S got it all!

I wish you and your family good health, happiness and lots of LOVE!
Happy Agawak Trails,   Mary