This morning, my younger brother shared a link to a TEDx talk from a Camp Champions alumnus, singer Lisa Loeb.

Here is the link: http://bit.ly/190Hyhb

It is 20 minutes long (she had two segments), but I particularly like the first half.  OK, one of the reasons I like it is the fact that she talks briefly about Camp Champions. But she also sings a nice song about “the Disappointing Pancake” about finding purpose in life.

In the second session, she shares thoughts about how to finding purpose in work and how to reconceptualize your career to find continued energy and joy.

This clip was a welcome “good morning” to the day.

Also, Susie Ma’am and I have received several lovely emails from parents of long-time campers about the effects that camp has had on them.

These emails and the musings of Lisa are a perfect mid-summer gift.  In the middle of the season, we all need reminders about what makes camp so special.

After all, Camp can be a challenge at times because it is so immersive.  I love it with all my heart, but the days can get long and there are really no breaks.  Susie Ma’am and I take one day off every 3 weeks.  Typically, we still attend flag-raising and the morning staff meeting on our day off.  During our day off this session, we also dealt with several camper issues for 4-6 hours.

In short, you can get a little worn down starting at 7 AM and ending at 11 PM.

But that does not last long.  The occasional email helps.  Hearing Lisa sing and talk about camp helps.

Most importantly, nothing will put a “pep in your step” like having a first-year, 9 year-old camper walk up at 8 AM and declare “I am already having a wonderful day – what is great about YOUR day Steve Sir?”

I think he is.

Steve SIr