This week at our Agalog activity, our writing program
at camp, I ended our session by telling some stories
about what camp was like in 1963, my first summer
here.
I was 8. I am now 70.. And I still remember it all, what
has changed, what remains unchanged.
I point up the hill to Cabin 3, where I lived my first
year. I tell my Agalog girls that there were only five
girls in my cabin and 96 campers in the whole camp
all those decades ago. We were required to wear
uniforms – powder blue shirts and navy bottoms by
day; white shirts and navy blue bottoms at night.
And to swim, we were all in one-piece navy blue
bathing suits. (Finally, when I ascended to Cabin Y at
the age of 14, our camp director Oscar allowed two-
piece swimwear.)
The girls look at me with open-mouthed surprise
when I tell them there were no tutus, or bikinis or yoga
pants allowed. Then, I’m asked by one 8-year-old new
camper, “What hasn’t changed?” It is easy for me to
answer that question.
What hasn’t changed is that the Agawak girls walk
around camp singing, laughing, arm-in-arm. What
hasn’t changed is that they often return year after
year, and make their best friends here on these
gorgeous grounds. What hasn’t changed is that Blue
and White games still spark ear-splitting cheering and
passionate competition, and instills courage and
tenacity that lasts a lifetime.
What hasn’t changed is that, every day, the campers
push through their fears and become bolder and more
adventurous. They say “I can”, more than “I can’t” as
the climb Tango Tower for the first time, or get up on
water-skis – on their seventh or eighth try.
What hasn’t changed is that each girl learns how to
navigate friendships in close cabin quarters with other
girls far different than her. This, when there is no
Mommy or Daddy around, to help them make new
friends – they do this on their own.
Counselors, of course, help the bonding process,
though it is each girl who learns how to fend for
herself. Most of all, each girl, your girls, learn the
value of spreading kindness and compassion – to not
only stand up for herself, but to stand up for others.
Writing for Agalog, all those years ago, is where I got
my literary start. My career path from Agawak turned
me into a journalist and an author of several books,
the last one, Camp Girls, is an ode to Agawak and
how summer camp changes lives.
Perhaps we are grooming future authors at Agalog
though this I know for certain: :Even if the girls in our
writing program do not become published writers,
there are activities here at camp and friendships they
are making that are forming solid citizens. Living in a
community, and learning team-work and compassion,
are qualities that fuel a successful adulthood.
Good choice, parents, for sending your children here!
I thank my late parents every day. This place and
these people and these memories form the core of
who I am – a Camp Girl forever. What a joy watching
your young girls grow under towering pines and an
open sky and become strong and hopeful – and most
of all, happy.
By Iris Krasnow