I just finished a camp reunion weekend in Mentone, AL and I am so glad I went. It meant missing today's Chattanooga Pride parade and booth (representing PFLAG Chattanooga), but that's what all the other "PFLAGers" are for... and they represented well! (I know this because a few photos have been sent my way.)
I was reminded this weekend how much camp days shaped my life-- my being, my character, my leadership. Camp helped me be who I was created to be and to accept others for who they are.
My last summer at camp was 1985. I skipped 1984 to do a study abroad in Spain (no regrets, though it would have been cool to be in both places because 1984 was year 1 at Saddle Rock),
I couldn't quite remember if 1972 or 1973 was my first year at Camp Skyline, but I wrote '73 on a previous alumnae weekend. That means I did 10 years at Camp Skyline. My counselor years were as formative (if not more than) as my camper years. I did the typical CIT (Counselor in Training), Jr. Counselor, Counselor route. I was Head of Archery at both camps toward the end of my camp career. I helped with swimming, sports, and Project Adventure additionally over the years.
Though I might not remember tons of details, put me together with twenty something other alumnae and memories flood back. Memories of people, activities, and songs. Last night at the campfire, songs flowed seamlessly from YEARS ago. It has been almost 40 years since I've been at camp. It has been over 50 since I started as a camper.
It was amazing and beautiful and fun to be with community, family, chosen family this weekend. Being on Lookout Mountain in Mentone, AL is "going home" for me. Dare I write that it's one of my "thin places". Yes, it's true. Because of Morning Watch, vespers, and more, that space is a thin place for me. It's Holy ground, sacred. Not only was I molded and made character wise and leader wise, it played a large role in my faith, my spiritual being. When I return to camp, I am reminded of all that I learned from so many through the years.
A camp reunion weekend isn't only about thinking about the past memories, It's a time to catch up with people, to encourage and support one another. Depending on which reunions we have attended, we may not have seen each other in 5 to 10 years. If we are luckier than that, it might have only been 3 years.
What is amazing is that the time doesn't matter. The distance doesn't matter. We come together. We pick up where we are. We talk, we share, we sing, we laugh, we cry..... we build new memories to add to the former ones.
One doesn't think of Morning Watch without thinking of Ellen Roberts. On Saturday morning she offered us words of insight, encouragement, and exhortation. Because there were many who weren't able to make it this year, Morning Watch was recorded. Her message of "joy" was a gift to us.
Marty Griffin, our camp director attended. Marty was not only director but "boss" for those of us who worked under us as counselors. We learned much from her over the years and continue to learn from her at these reunions. "Make up your bed; make up your mind." is one saying that most all remember and live by. By her example and her words, she has taught us much, not the least are these two; to be strong women and that we can do difficult things.
Marlee gifted us with leading us in singing around the campfire last night as she played the guitar.
I had been asked to share at the campfire on the last night. I spent some time prior to the weekend reflecting on what that might look like. I found something by e.e. cummings in my Earth Gospel book by Sam Hamilton-Poore and decided to share it. I felt led to give a brief introduction about us coming together, being in creation, sharing bonds that cross time and distance, then share the e.e. cummings lines. After that I would open up the space with an invitation for people to share thankfulness. It was a beautiful time of people sharing gratitude, wisdom, their hearts.
The e.e. cummings lines were from Week One, Midday prayer, p. 51:
i thank You God for most this amazingday; for the leaping greenly spirits of treesand a blue true dream of sky; and for everythingwhich is natural which is infinite which is yes
On my drive today from Mentone to Gallant, from one camp to another (Riverview to Camp Sumatanga), I reflected on my weekend time.
One person shared at the campfire that they appreciated being accepted and welcomed by the community, that there can be a little bit of fear or nervousness in coming into a situation like this when you haven't been around people for a while. I may not be expressing the words exactly as they shared it, but I get it. In the back of my head, thoughts about fitting in, acceptance, etc. rattled around.
Being vulnerable, taking a risk, getting out of one's comfort zone... it's worth the effort. Truly. Because when one does that, it becomes easier to be and live into one's uniquely created self.
Let me personalize that.
When I am vulnerable, take a risk, and get out of my comfort zone... it's worth the effort. Truly. Because when I do that, it becomes easier for me to be and to live into my uniquely created self.
If that resonates with you at all, re-read it for yourself, recognizing that the "I" is now really your voice, speaking to yourself.
Vulnerability and risk aren't easy, but we can do hard things.
Hard things will help us learn and grow.
They will help us make memories and strengthen the bonds of relationships that we have.
I am grateful for all those who planned and executed this weekend reunion. I am grateful for all those who came. I am grateful for all those who impacted my life over the 11 years of camp. I am grateful for the friendships I have within this community, this family of camp friends.
"We were strangers for such a long time, but now we're friends 'til the end of time....."
May there be joy on the journey!
Debra
P.S. One of the things we did was tour Camp Skyline. I jumped on the rope swing. I didn't get a picture of that, but I think others did. I may add that later. :)
I did find a photo of me in the dining hall in a frame with other memorabilia. That was cool. It was from one of my counselor years in Brookwood cabin. Ironically, Brookwood was my first cabin as a camper.
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