First Morning Reflection... The journey of camp

Dear Campers, Families, and Friends Six years ago when we started on this journey of camp, I recall that very first morning of the first day of camp. I was sitting alone on the docks overlooking the calm, magnificent lake. It was 6 am, the sun was rising and there was a deep calm as the campers and staff were still asleep. I remember feeling incredibly overwhelmed with a sense of awe and excitement. We were here!! The campers were here!!! Camp was on!!!!!!! Our incredible team had spent the whole year planning and organizing and imagining what camp would be and now it was here.  It was the most wonderful feeling. In our sixth summer, the feelings of awe and excitement have only grown bigger and greater. It is hard not to be captivated by the spirit and magic of camp! Seeing the nervous anticipation of the children (and parents) at the buses harkens me back to my days as a camper.  Oh those first moments!!! The butterflies as you sat on the bus....the excited energy as you pull into the long and winding road that leads into camp.  Those first moments when you arrive and are greeted by the enthusiastic counsellors - smiling, cheering and ready to embark on this journey with you. Being led to your cabin and being surrounded by new and old friends... looking around at the trees and fields and lake.... shedding your worries and giving in to the energy of camp. Those feelings are just incredible! The journey of camp is full of challenge and triumph. It embodies fun and laughter, new experiences, pushing limits, trying new activities, participating in those activities you love, and improving on old skills. Camp is about connecting with nature, overcoming fears, competing, team work, sharing experiences and space, and learning to just be with others. Camp is about having time to cheer as loud as you can and sing around campfires. It is about running, dancing, swimming, fishing, arts and crafts, and being busy, but also about finding time for solitude and reflection. Camp is a time to be physically active with sports but also to be creative and original. It requires collective thinking in coming up with cabin cheers, strategic thinking to participate in  camp wide games such as capture the flag and colour war. It requires both leadership and trusting to follow the lead of  others. It is about growing as a person and working as a group. Older campers can support the younger ones, younger campers can inspire the others, and together we all learn about one another.  By the closing ceremonies of the last day, the friendships and bonds and memories made are so thick they can last a lifetime and carry us all throughout the year. It has been more than twenty years since I was a camper but to this day I still become overwhelmed with nostalgia and joy at the spectacular memories of my own camp friends, counsellors, and journeys. This summer we also have two former campers who have returned as volunteer staff. We could not be more proud and thrilled to have them here as part of our 2014 team!!! Our team is here to encourage, guide, support, inspire, learn from, and enjoy this week with your campers. We are so grateful to be entrusted with your campers and to share this truly wonderful and magical  camping journey with them! It is going to be an incredible day! Yours in camping, Stacey