Blue Lake has awakened from its deep winter sleep.  The warmer weather has me “fired up” for another amazing summer ahead. I feel like a child every spring when the ice leaves Blue Lake and I’m able to see moving water for the first time.  I’m filled with extra energy and excitement at the thought of Agawak “coming alive” again. This same energy and excitement greeted me my first summer at Agawak twenty-five summers ago.   Nothing has changed the intensity of those feelings.  You know the old saying; “Do what you love and you’ll never have to work another day in your life.”

 In a few short months staff will be arriving to begin their precamp training.  My first year junior counselors are currently preparing for their first summer on staff.   Each is beginning their training by spending several hours prior to camp completing their Expert-On-Line Training modules.  They have had years of watching and learning from other staff and now will have the opportunity to share their many talents with our campers.  I am very excited for them.  This summer we are extremely fortunate to have a strong return of staff including nine international staff members. I’m proud of the staff I’ve assembled. Campers get ready to be surrounded by a staff that is always at your side.

During the past few months I’ve enjoyed meeting many new campers and reuniting with old ones.  I was able to steal away to Florida for a long weekend in January.  The Bloch family hosted a wonderful brunch for Agawak campers in the Fort Lauderdale area.  Alyssa Tuttelman, Lindsay Fleishman, Dylan Levine and Jami Bloch were able to attend.  I also traveled north to the Orlando area to see the Lowell family and visited with new campers Katie and Caroline Arce.

 It’s always an odd feeling seeing campers in their “winter environment” removed from camp.  Everyone always looks much older not to mention cleaner.  In February, I traveled to Michigan and Mexico. While in Michigan campers Caroline Cohen and Gillian Pfaff popped in on me for a quick visit at the West Bloomfield camp fair.  My trip to Michigan would not have been complete without seeing them. This summer Caroline’s sister, Emily, will be joining the ranks of staff.  In Mexico, I traveled to Puebla in search of culinary students to work in the food service area of camp. All my campers from Mexico will now have a handful of staff from their country to make them feel even more at home.

While in Mexico I received word that my father had lost his fight with prostate cancer. It was quite a blow although I knew it was inevitable.  Many of you sent cards and condolences. Thank you for keeping me and my family in your thoughts and prayers. More than ever I am reminded how fragile life is. More than ever I am reminded to love the ones I love.  More than ever I am reminded to live life simpler.  More than ever I am reminded of how much I miss the laughter and happiness of camp.

My plan was to travel to Carmel, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio for a reunion mid February but I had to send other staff to take my place due to the funeral. Thankfully, Emily Gurner and Liz Kramer were able to go in my place with such a short notice.  Thank you to the Mauer family for hosting the Indiana reunion.  I enjoyed looking at the pictures which were taken and posted them on the web.  Emily then traveled southward to Cincinnati.  I’d like to thank my Cincinnati and Carmel campers for their understanding and flexibility in allowing my staff to forge ahead without me. Hope everyone is enjoying their new t-shirts which were given out.

The Chicago reunion came and went like a streak of lightening. I spent countless hours pouring over footage from last summer for the reunion DVD and the reunion is over in a blink of an eye.  Last year’s CIT’s did a terrific job leading their Blue and White teams in cheers.  It gives me goose bumps listening to the spirit and strength of everyone singing in unison.  After the reunion one of the receptionists in the hotel asked me, “What was all the screaming about?”  I just smiled at her and said, “It’s a camp thing.”

I’m thrilled to welcome the following new campers into the Agawak family.  Alexa Golant, Leah Gray, Tahlia Gurevitz, Samantha and Sidney Himel, Hailey Kanter, Miranda Mottlowitz, Aleksandra Muller, Tasha Netzky, Sydney Oko, Shayna Rosenson and Danielle Wachter. Get prepared for a fun filled summer. Oh, and by the way don’t forget to pack your smile.

We will be offering a few new activities at camp this summer.  We will still have cooking classes in LHOP but have added an outdoor cooking class for those of you who want to learn how to cook over an open fire.  Did I tell you camp has a new 26 foot tepee? Yes, it’s true!  How does sleeping in a tepee with your friends sound? Now that’s not something you can do every day.  We will also be expanding our arts and crafts program more about that to follow.

By now everyone should have received their precamp packets. Precamp packets were mailed a week ago. If for some reason you haven’t received one please call the camp office immediately. I am delighted to repost that Ally Schwaeber and Jessica Cohn were the first campers to have all their forms properly signed and turned in. How’s everyone else doing? Please keep those forms coming. Remember the deadline is May 1st. 

If anyone is looking for a room for visiting day please contact the camp office. There is one room available at the Waters which I have details on. An Agawak family is willing to give it up to another Agawak family so let me know quickly.

Campers and parents please remember our no package rule. Don’t forget to leave your cell phones and anything electronic at home. It’s time to disconnect th electronics and connect with others, yourself and nature. Let us do our job of instilling curiosity and sense of wonder about nature by leaving electronics behind.  I guarantee they will be there when you return back home.

I’m happy to report the trampolines are officially in for the summer. Last night was our first game of family trampball for the season. Brandon will be putting docks, boats and canoes into Blue Lake during the next few weeks. There is much to do physically to “set up” camp for all of you but before we know it the buses will be going underneath the Agawak arches and staff will be singing…….Camp Agawak, the Place to Be”.

Happy trails to all of you,

Mary and staff