The real indicator of a community’s culture is the little moments that happen when nobody’s watching.

Here are a few I’ve witnessed in the last few days:

A group of 13 year old girls walking back from snacks with their arms around each other belting Moana songs.

A 15 year old boy doing a heartfelt land acknowledgment before his cabin sang “Oh Canada” today.

A 12 year old boy with autism engaged in deep conversation about clouds with an 8 year old girl.

A 12 year old girl re-doing her swim test with a friend who hadn’t passed (and celebrating exuberantly when she finished it).

A cabin of 9 year old boys giving their counsellors crayola marker makeovers at Rest Hour.

A counsellor treating her campers to a pint of strawberries bought on day off while leading cabin circle on a dock in the sunset.

Since having kids of my own I’ve come to value even more this place where kids can truly just be kids, away from the pressures of school and social media, and the magic that happens when kids get to live in community and have the freedom to explore who they want to be.