I can't be at camp this summer, but my heart is there. Just today an old camper of mine sent me a letter asking where I had been. I'd forgotten her but then I remembered that shy little girl from 3 summers ago. I really made a difference in her life and so many others. I feel like a failure when they show up looking for me and I'm not there. I love those kids as if they were my own.
If you dont know what I am talking about, this is the first of ten consecutive summers that I have not spent my summer at Camp Favorite on Cape Cod. I've worked my way up from camper, to counselor in Training, to Senior COuncilor in Training, to Intern, to Underage Staff, to Unit Counselor, to Unit Leader and Biking Specialist. I've met friends, lovers, and some of the coolest people I know there. I've matured there, acquainted myself with other cultures, grown, and discovered myself. So many firsts. haha. I've had some of the best nights of my life talking on Cape and Island beaches. Last year alone, I was down on life with family stuff and unrequited love and camp gave me exactly what I needed. MOst of all its a place where you get back what you give. I dont know if I'll be back, but Favorite will always have a huge place in my heart. Most of you I'll never see again, but I've got nothing but fond and bittersweet memories!!!
"And so we say and with a sigh, to camping days our fond goodbye. We cannot stay. No reason why. We're on our way, great gods we're on our way. We've given you a special part of what is now a Favorite heart. We've given you a world's best start. We're on our way, great gods we're on our way. " |
