I don't know half of you half as well as I should like;
and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
Last year a chapter of my life closed. I think there are many fitting titles, but suffice it to say, it was the Lamoka chapter. It spanned from when I was eight years old coming as a camper to weeks deaned by GoTennis, to a month before my 22nd birthday. I don't think I could ever describe what camp has meant to me over the years, because frankly I don't think I will ever know, but last week I visited again and it all came rushing back into my head like a flood.
Friday evening Ohyo, Stretch, his g/f, Sugar, and I visited camp and it marked the first time I had been back since my wedding day. Things were different, and yet things were exactly the same. I looked around and saw the campus I remembered changed, I saw old friends, and young ones, but I also saw a plethora of staff that I didn't recognize. It was an interesting thing to be around during Hunger Haven time and realize that I couldn't actually pick out who the counselors were 90% of the time. All the while I stood there yelling Cabin 19 at the top of my lungs for old times sake, stealing a money card from a camper and buying a Mountain Dew and realizing, wow I love this place.
What I wouldn't have given to stayed longer, and to bask in the glory that was my experiences at camp but I must move on I have real life to attend to, college to finish and work to accomplish. Still, camp will be there always in my mind and hopefully every now and again I will be at camp. Once a staff member always a staff member, seeing a fire that needs building and wood that needs hauling and jumping at the chance to do it. Why? Who knows, but its something I wouldn't give up for the world.
Wow, how excellently said. It still amazes and overwhelms me when I think about the impact that Lamoka, and many many other camps, has had on people over the years. I love camp and the many years I spent there. I agree with you, it was strange to go back and visit and recognize very few staff. There is still of a bit of sadness knowing that I'm not really a part of it any longer. On the other hand, its a good reminder that "its not all about me" and God is going to continue using Lamoka in a mighty way!
Yeah.. its probably even harder for Tracy, since she's been working there for even longer.
I can empathize with both of you tho.. I've been go to Lamoka since I was 10... /sigh
man Camp rules . . . if I ever have kids I'm sending them there :D
I remember going to camp and Mr Patrick used to give my bro and I a lolly, you know those sweet tarts on a stick?
I remember the giant tree next to the volleyball court, the old minigolf jail, and when some of the cabins were the dining hall
I remember back when the boys cabins were 7,8, 8a, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 :D
oh and please tell me the boys bathroom was demolished!
It's about to be as far as I know. They are building a totally new one in any case, which rocks.
Ah... gotta love those chapters in life... I can't even imagine how it must be for those of you who have gone to camp for so long... I still have fond memories of my camp days that I wish I could go back to sometimes, but I prolly only attended for about half as long as you guys have! In any event, I pray that God will bless you and your crew during this next chapter in life. :)
Sorry, this isn't Lamoka related, but I wanted to say that I think I've had that broccoli-like mold before - I had an open can of peaches that had floating green mold (although it was more spiky than round....even so.)
Thanks for sharing.