Three weeks ago, while standing in the camp office, I said to our incredible team of directors, “Let’s make these final three weeks count because in the blink of an eye, we will be standing in this room – it will be Thursday, and there will only be one day of camp left. Focus on the positives; spend time with those campers you’ve watched grow and develop confidence; and take time to let our awesome staff know that we appreciate them. Enjoy, because although we’re getting tired, you will wake up on a cold January day and give anything to be back here doing what we do.”

Later in the day, one of our directors told me she had really taken to heart my simple little message, and since our quick morning meeting, she had taken a walk all over camp and breathed in the truly magical experiences that were happening.

She saw campers swimming and going off the diving board that just a few weeks earlier didn’t even want to get in the pool because they were afraid; campers who started their summer not knowing anyone and were now sitting and laughing with friends; counselors (who had to be exhausted) still giving 110% and being right in the middle of their groups playing, smiling, and getting just as dirty as the kids; and chanting and cheering coming from the woods as groups transitioned between activities.

Last night (Week 10) when I locked up the camp office, I found myself standing in front of the thermostat getting ready to enter my alarm code. True story! I guess we’re getting a little tired, but we’re not ready for it to end. One of my favorite sayings, “I can eat and sleep in August, but I can only camp now.”

Tomorrow will be our final camp day for this season, and 2016 will fade into the memory books. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough to say to all of our wonderful campers, supportive parents, and outstanding staff members, but THANK YOU! It’s been an amazing summer. Although we’re a little drained, I feel like we just got started. What happened? I blinked.

Have a great school year, and we look forward to doing it all again next summer!

Chris Strevel