Letters to Camp

It seems like if it’s June, it must be time to drive up to camp for dropoff.  Today was that day for one of our kids who is a counselor this year.

The last few days have been filled with shopping for clothes and supplies, the ever-running washing machine and filled laundry baskets, lots of activity, packing, packing and more packing, and counting down the days, all of which culminated with last night’s final family meal, followed by the precious final hours in unrestricted tech immersion (sitting in front of a computer screen, watching videos, catching up with friends etc).

Then this morning we packed up the minivan.  It is amazing just how small even a large minivan (note the oxymoron) can seem when it’s loaded with camp gear. And as always, the massive migration of bags and duffles from upstairs to downstairs alarmed our family dog who kept following us out of the house as a reminder not to forget him. As usual, we remembered – to leave him home. As we pulled away, we could see him peering out the window beside our front door. Which reminds me, maybe it’s time to write a story about a dog that “accidentally” ends up in his camper’s duffle bag and has to stay at camp… Hmmm…

Then off we drove off to camp and arrived in a few hours.  Counselors can park right in front of the bunks to drop off their belongings, so move-in was quick and efficient. The campers haven’t arrived yet,  so camp was uncharacteristically quiet and relaxed.  It’s hard to believe that in just a few short days, the camp will be a regular beehive of activity. And today’s nearly empty bunks will be packed with excited campers and their gear.

We said goodbye in the same spot where 10 years ago, we first watched our then-camper shyly meet their first bunk group. It was a reminder that with each beginning – at school, with sports teams, at camp each year – kids often feel a certain reticence or tentativeness as they consider the seemingly unknown experience that lies ahead.  But after so many years of overnight camp in our family, we all know that the tentativeness will soon be replaced with excitement and new friends as a great new camp season gets under way.