Just like that we arrived at the final day of Mini-1. I’ll miss these campers. I feel like I was just getting to know them. They were full of kindness, excitement, and in the two weeks they were here, made this place more joyful and whole.
It was a great day; Made extra great by the ferocious play of my 12-year-old Pickleball Partner, Estella. Thanks to her backhand we took down a group of Sparks 11 to 2.
Walking back up from the courts, on my way to lunch, I noticed a group of Hillbrook campers staring at a tree. Curious, I asked, “What’s going on?”
“Just watching a baby bird.”
Carry on.
I love our younger campers. They embody a level of curiosity and compassion that so many of us “adults” have had beaten out of us by lived experiences.
Two of these younger campers, Lexy and Seher from Cabin 6 found me today and presented a skit they had prepared and allegedly “practiced” although much of it gave off an “improv” vibe. Either way, it was an entertaining look at their theory that I and my dog churro are the same person, and we change back and forth from dog to human. I had to chuckle. This spirit was ever alive in our puppet show performance as well during Rise and Shine led by counselors Livvy and Amelia.
This morning began with counselor Bible Study. We spent the time sipping coffee, sharing stories, and diving into the Psalms as we navigated the tension between the joy we feel at camp and the sadness we feel in the world. I’ve been nothing but impressed with the maturity and strength of our counselors to process the tragedy unfolding externally, yet be fully present, and provide the best possible experience for our campers right here. As Gordon said last night, we love your daughters like our own. There’s no better practice of being a mother than a camp counselor. I received a picture from a friend of mine whose daughter is on Heigh Ho. It was a letter she received, and it said “Camp is great and I have the best counselors!” I agree.
Tonight, our four-week girls from Heigh Ho and Hillbrook headed out to the farm for games and s’mores. The farm continues to be a home away from home for our campers who spend a long time here. Emma said they had a great time and caught the perfect sunset view.
Emily and I took the Pineview Campers to Sliding Rock. It was my third Sliding Rock trip of the week (a personal record) and my third Dolly’s Ice-cream cone (not a record). The girls had a great time going up and down that ancient water slide, laughing and playing as kids do.
Gretchen and Gardner stayed back on camp to give the Mini-1 campers a proper send off with a closing campfire in McLeod. Although I was at Sliding Rock and missed it, Gardner shared a song the campers created about us to the tune of one of my favorite camp songs “Yogi Bear.” Junior Counselors Charlotte and Mary Holmes played the campers a song and they all finished off the evening floating wish boats in the lake.
It’s my third year at Camp. As time rolls on, some of the sessions start to run together. This two-week period, however, will always be one I remember because of the strength of the counselors and the joy of the campers despite pain in the world.
I saw a video of a group of Mystic campers who were fortunate enough to be rescued and evacuated from the flooding last week. They were aboard a school bus on their way to be reunited with their parents, and for the first time in the light of day, saw the destruction of their camp.
Among the muffled tears and cries, the near silence broke, and they began to sing.
It only takes a spark, to get a fire going
And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread his love to everyone;
You want to pass it on
The song is called “Pass it on.”
It’s in the Illahee songbook, too.
In an old bus just like ours, singing a song just like ours, with beautiful young campers, just like ours.
Looking out over a world that had been upended, they joined their tired voices and sang.
I don’t think they were singing because they were in denial. I don’t believe they were attempting to find a distraction. As controversial as this may be, I doubt they were even in the mood to praise God. I know I wouldn’t be. I like to think that they were yearning for some solid ground to rest their weary, drenched souls as the literal and metaphorical waters of destruction and uncertainty rose around them.
In that moment, the only ground they could find was an old song from summer camp.
I hope and pray that our campers never know devastation like what these Texas families are experiencing. Life, however, continues to teach me that darkness finds its way to us all. As much as we would want to, as a parent or camp director, we cannot shelter our children from difficulties. We can and must though, prepare them to face adversity with strength, compassion, and resilience.
Our Mini campers are leaving the safe haven of Illahee, returning to a world that’s a bit more anxious and sadder than when they left. They, on the other hand, are kinder, stronger, and more confident than when they arrived.
If and when they must walk through the darkest valley, I hope and pray that they will remember this place and their time at camp. I hope they will recall their song to sing, and they will remember their Illahee girls who will always be there to sing with them.
“It only takes one spark to get a fire going.” In a world that needs it, may they be that spark.
Thank you, Mini-1 Campers,
Lucas