Camp has an odd rhythm to it.

During the early part of the summer, the counselors come together as a team and learn the ways of camp. They are “fresh”, but green. As the summer goes on, they acquire counseling skills and learn to work together. We come to understand each other’s strengths and passions, which enables us to assign people to the age-groups, co-counselors and activities in which they will shine.

During the middle of the summer (after 7-8 weeks), the counselors often encounter a “wall”. A “wall” is the point when a counselor is particularly tired and wonders how he or she will be able to maintain excellence for an entire summer.

We have several tools we use to deal with this. For example, during orientation counselors write a letter that details all their aspirations for the summer which we share if they start to get tired. We also provide surprise rest time for them and help teach their classes.

Over the years, we have become very good at dealing with these “walls”. They are simply something that we plan for.

But during this part of the summer, the walls are behind us. On the surface, this would seem counter-intuitive. If 7 weeks makes you a little tired, wouldn't you be more tired after 10? Actually, no.

With only two weeks left, the counselors start to become nostalgic. They realize the powerful impact they have had on their campers as well as the impact that the campers had on them. They realize that the campers here now will be the last of the summer.

They also know that this community that they have come to treasure will soon dissolve.

In this way, camp is truly unique. People arrive as strangers and become incredibly close in less than a month. Many will marry people they meet here. Others will end up in their wedding parties. All of this will happen in just one summer.

I have a theory about why this is true. At camp, we see each other at our best. We are caring for others rather than obsessing about ourselves. We are having wholesome fun. I had a young woman explain it to me this way, “In college, we meet a lot of guys who get swept up in the “bro culture” where they drink too much and preen. Here, we see them as loving men and not indulgent boys. That is a real trade up!” [Note: please do not think I am suggesting that only college males can be immature or boorish. Sadly, both sexes are capable of epic foolishness at times.]

Another female counselor had the following chat with Susie Ma’am.

“Susie Ma’am – I don’t want to get back into the college dating scene.”

“Why not?”

“You never know what you will get out there. Here, you have done all the sorting for me!”

So camp does not just help campers find the best versions of themselves, but it also gives the same gift to the counselors and leaders.

And we are just now realizing that it will soon end.

You should also know that this is a particularly wonderful group of counselors. They are high energy, caring, patient and goofy – all a camp director could hope for.

So know that your lovely children are safely asleep in their beds watched over by men and women that truly care about them. I hope your children are dreaming of the fun to come tomorrow and over the next weeks. We will be savoring our time with them!

Steve Sir