If you’ve been wondering why I haven’t written the last blog of the summer yet, it’s because I’ve been avoiding it. I sat down several times at my computer but couldn’t bring myself to write anything.  How does one effectively capture a summer full of life altering memories?  How does one begin to explain the love, the self-discovery, the Blue and White spirit, and the genuine friendships that surround us at camp?

 Last Wednesday, we sent campers home on cloud nine.  A few hours later I propped myself in front of my computer and started a blog.  I didn’t get far.  The silver bell rang for the remaining post camp staff (about 16 of us) to assemble in the lodge.  Quickly and without much thought, my eyes filled with tears.  The bell still rings but its meaning has changed.  No more campers to wake up for flagpole.  No more bell telling everyone it’s time to switch activity periods.  No more bells for evening programs.  No more campers coming up to my office window asking eagerly to ring the bell for lunch or dinner.  No more knit one-pearl twos.  No more G-O-O-D  M-O-R-N-I-N-G Good morning at flagpole.  No more hip, hip, hooray- you’re the camper of the day.  No more “What’s for lunch, Ducky”? over the walkie talkie.  No more awesome hugs from campers.  No more laughter echoing through the trees.  No more tubing screams heard across Blue Lake.  So, when I heard the bell, I just “fell apart” and my eyes flooded with tears.  No use writing a blog if you can’t see the computer screen, right? Now days later, I’m ready to write down some of my thoughts without crying.   

Campers- I miss all of you and your unique personalities.  Camp is too quiet.  I wish we could have one more warm or rainy summer day together.  Remember your time here and what accomplished this summer.  Remember each of you have something unique inside to give this world to make it a better place.  I witness tremendous growth in countless campers this summer.  Remember kindness does matter.  Remember when the going gets rough, keep your chin up and remain tough.  There will surely be rough days at school, work and with relationships.  As an Agawak girl, I want you to remember, “you’ve gotta have GRIT” to get through the tough times.  Remember you always have a second home to come back to retreat to. Remember the moments we had together not the days.

Remember to believe in yourself and know your camp family does.  Remember to give to others more than you take.  Don’t let another person ever make you feel inferior because you are not.  If someone should ever tell you that you can’t do something, find your willpower and prove them wrong.  Lastly, remember camp brings out the best in everyone.  Let your “best” shine until our paths cross again next summer. 

Staff- I am extremely proud of each of you.  I’ve never had such happy campers as this summer. You were present, caring and giving.   You helped shape a part of them that will remain with them forever.  You cared for them, nurtured them, taught them life lessons and supported them during the homesick times and the good times.  Thank you for making this summer so special and extraordinary.  I can say when the sun sets on your life one day you made a difference. You simply are the best!

 During the summer we had many emotional campfires and I’ve shared a few campfire girl speeches with you previously yet I’d like to add to my blog a small part of Nikki Sheinkop’s insightful campfire message to us as well as a portion of Blair Morris’s departing speech.

 “Camp has become a haven for me because I know when I get off the bus or out of the van; I’m going to be greeted by my favorite people at my favorite place.  I am so lucky to be friends with a group of girls who are so accepting, caring, hilarious, and the list goes on.  I could shower my friends with compliments, but even that would fall short of what you guys deserve.  I love how each of us brings something unique to our group and we wouldn’t function if someone was missing.  You guys are my best friends and honestly you are the ones who made this place what it is for me.  You have all taught me that it doesn’t matter what suburb of Chicago or Connecticut you come from, or what you have, but if you’re a good person, you will never be denied friendship.

During pre-camp, someone took out a deck of cards and pulled out 7 of them.  There are 52 cards in a deck and in this case they were supposed to represent the 52 weeks in a year.  The 7 that were pulled out represent the 7 weeks we are at camp.  They are 7 weeks we have to make an impact on the lives of everyone sitting here, and the opportunity to become whatever type of person you want to become.    They make up a tiny pile compared to the big deck of cards, but you can put so much into those 7 weeks and learn more about yourself and life in those weeks than the other 45.  So when we keep being told to make the most of camp, this piece of advice is absolutely necessary.  Your time here is short compared to the rest of the year and we often overlook how fortunate we are to be here.  Make the most of the next one card in your deck because pretty soon you’ll have 45 more to go.”  (by Nikki Sheinkop)

“Camp is so much more than a place I come to tug a rope with all my physical strength and inner being. It is what allowed me to change for the absolute better. It is what has taught me that friendship triumphs’ all and that the most important way to treat anyone is with kindness. This place has given me more than anything I can put into words, nonetheless give back. I have camp to thank for not only my becoming an independent and a more social girl, but more importantly the ability to finally feel comfortable in my own skin. So, to cheering my heart out for the White Team, to singing at every campfire, to all of my firsts and lasts, to my friends that became my best friends and then my sisters and to the best 7 summers of my life….goodbye summer of 2014!” (by Blair Morris)

A friend of mine once told me that many things will catch my eye, but only a few will catch my heart…hold on to those.  One of those things that still captures’ my heart after 26 years is Agawak and all it represents.  Like many of you reading this, I will hold on until next summer when we’re together & the camp bell rings to reunite us. It’s time to sign off with tears of happiness in my eyes and gratitude in my heart for a deeply cherished summer.   I guess I shouldn’t cry- I’ll just keep thinking it’s not goodbye.

Happy Trails,

Mary

xoxoxooxxo