Happy 4th of July to everyone! The past few days have been hot and today we celebrate America’s Birthday with temperatures in the high 80’s. Campers and counselors are decked out in red, white and blue from head to toe. This morning we sang happy birthday to Suzi Haberman and cheered for camper of the day, Sarah Heilbronner, and counselor of the day Allison Grosky.  There’s always heaps of energy at camp but today that force is greater than ever as everyone is excited to head into town.  

Today at 4pm over 190 precious campers will be dancing down the main street of Minocqua.  It’s a happy, fun and exhausting day for all.  After the parade we will enjoy our traditional cookout, watch the water-ski show and then head back to our cookout site to watch the 4th of July fireworks.  Somewhere around 10:30 pm we’ll arrive back at camp for some well deserved sleep.  

Last night, we had our first outdoor campfire of the summer. It was a glorious night.  First time camper, Rachel Rumumna, wooed the audience with her beautiful voice and guitar. Counselor Margaret Duffy brought out her button accordion and played for all of us. Beth Grossly serenaded us with her stunning voice.  Campfire girls (Nancy Iden, Leah Cravitz, Danielle Bassock, Alexa Boorstein and Browyn James) silenced the crowd with their touching key-log speeches.

Leah through her key-log into the fire for all the wonderful summers she’s been at Agawak. She said, “Everyone says Agawak is their home away from home but to me it’s much more. It’s a place where I don’t have to worry about what people think. When I first came here I only knew two people but now I have so many friends. I love camp so much and I wish I could always be here.” This is just a small portion of the feelings expressed during campfire as the campfire girls  share what they have learned or what they will take home from camp.

Alexa spoke about tradition in her key-log speech. “Tradition is the foundation of Agawak. Agawak isn’t a place it’s a feeling, it’s a spirit that is inside each camper and counselor. We all take a part of Agawak and store it in our hearts but Agawak is also ALL of us. It’s what we leave when we are gone and the impact that we make. All of us have an impact on camp and make the traditions that are tattooed in the camp spirit. Agawak is defined by our traditions that all of us help ignite each summer.”

Perhaps the most undeniable tradition is the campfire. Synonymous with the camp experience, there is something both touching and dramatic about the campfire. Each campfire is unique and powerful.  The little key-logs are thrown onto the fire to demonstrate the power of community and how when all of us are brought together, the campers are creating something bigger than themselves.  

Tomorrow we will be in full activities again as campers signed up for a new series of activities on Sunday. There’s lots of camping left but the days are going by too fast for this director. I wish had the ability to slow time down while we’re in the camp season but I can’t so I'll just continue to cherish each moment. 

I hope all of you have a relaxing, safe and happy 4th of July. I’m off to the parade.

Smile on,

Mary and staff