ForeverWandering.com

Camp starts later today. The year-round staff arrive today, and the rest of the staff over the next week. The campers don’t arrive for another two weeks, but the “feel” of camp will change today. It will make my home a little more…special.

So, here begins the lack of sleep, the smiles of little campers, and the non-stop ride that is Summer Camp. I’ve been a part of it, being a camper or staff member, for the majority of my almost 28 years. So here I go with eyes wide open!

They’re gone.

All of them.

All 75 campers…all 60+ staff…they’ve all gone home. Part of me is relieved to have a break…the other part of me misses them terribly.

I was around the staff members for between eight and ten weeks. Even though I may not be as good of friends with some of them because I’m the director…I still miss their presence. Each one of them, no matter their strengths and weaknesses, made a good impression on at least one child. They were my extended family, even if they didn’t realize it. Everyone that I’ve met at any camp in my camping life is part of that family.

So…the Summer of 2005 has ended…and while I’m saddened at its passing, I look forward to improving myself over the next nine months so I can be there for my staff next summer just as they’ve been there for me.

So…raise your bottle of glucose tabs…here’s looking forward to the Summer of 2006.

One thing I’ve (re-)learned this summer is the power of a simple smile.

Today, for example, was a day full of smiles. I saw my son smile (goofy smile, of course) for five minutes straight just because I was making some silly noises while holding him. When walking from my house to the camp office, two campers came up to me, smiling, to tell me about a funny story a counselor had told them.

So — the moral of this story — are you having a bad day? Look at the children around you.