We got a lot of wonderful emails over changeover and wanted to share one particularly articulate one:
Hi camp,
I just wanted to reach out and thank you. My son is home now from first session and while he’s so happy to be home with us he can’t stop talking about all of these magical things that happened at camp. He talks at length about his Section Head and of course his friends and cabin mates and all of the staff at camp. He has mentioned so many people and had such fun and lovely things to say about all of them.
Last year he refused to do ropes or anything to do with ropes, and this year he told me he did the zip line! I was shocked. He really put himself out there this year and said the only reason he did the zip line was because someone on ropes staff made him feel like he could do it. He recounts this day with such love and admiration for this person it was so nice to see.
He really pushed himself this year and did things he would normally shy away from. Like the play. I was so proud of him for being willing to try new things and I think it mainly due to the amazing staff at camp and him feeling comfortable and knowing he would make others proud that really got him there.
He was working very hard to get his silver in nature and I think it was just a few days shy. So he is looking forward to completing that next year when he comes back. I really love the fact that kids work hard towards something they love and get rewarded for it. Not just in the actual physical award, but how they feel about themselves and also how others rally around them once they’ve reached their goal.
You really have a way of creating a place where kids can be kids. Where they can feel comfortable being themselves and being part of something big – probably something they didn’t even know could exist. This is so important for his growth and I am so happy he has this connection to camp. I truly believe it will help him throughout his whole life and I know his summers will continue to be a sacred time for him to be in this magical home called Arowhon. I went to camp for many years as a kid and although I felt very connected to those camps it wasn’t quite like this. So whatever you are doing….ROCK ON!
So…THANK YOU! I look forward to the next 11 months of hearing “how much longer until camp mom”.
I hope second season is great!
My best,
A grateful parent