Yesterday was last day of camp. Our Alumni Session (for 17-21 year old campers who have aged out of our summer camp) certainly did live up to its reputation as being laid-back, refreshing and inspiring. In the Muskrat cabin we had 8 girls aged 17-19 years old, and 4 full days of free choice, social events and even an evening trip to Great Escape. It was a joy to reunite and visit with some campers who I had in the Bear Cabin during my first summer of ’08, and then in the Fox Cabin in ‘09. Lucky for me, lots of my former Foxy and Bear campers were fans of the barn so I got to spend a lot of time with them. Also, in the compound was Josh with his Chipmunk cabin who were all girls this session. It was amusing but also touching to see Josh’s interactions with his girl campers. I know that if we ever have a daughter, she’s gonna get spoiled!

Our oldest and most cuddly rabbit Jeter was a popular guy this session, just as I thought he would be. Coming to the barn and holding Jeter has become a special tradition for a lot of the campers, as they’ve held him every summer since they were little kids. Jeter especially came through this week for some special campers who I believe were really in need of the extra loving and therapy that sometimes only a furry friend can give.

As the longest talent show in Double H history preceded, I slipped out of the stage area to bring our wishboat (a boat that each cabin makes completely out of things from nature which carries each camper’s wishes written on birch bark and then is lit on fire in the water during our wishboat ceremony following the Talent Show) down to the waterfront where our wishboat ceremony would be taking place. It was dark out and I had forgotten to bring a flashlight but I carefully made it down the hill, and found our Muskrat post along the water. As I set down our little wooden boat full of wishes, and kneeled down under the starry sky, I was filled with such an appreciation for having been able to spend another summer at camp. It was an awesome summer that I feel God has used to challenge and change me. Camp has been a place where I can give, grow and receive, and do the little that I can to try and live out my love for God. Camp has also been a place of challenges, laughs and little misadventures that could only take place at summer camp.

Usually I don’t get emotional at our final staff meeting, but I did cry a little bit as I hugged the barn girls goodbye. We had become pretty close and worked so well together, that it didn’t seem like it should ever end. I’m going to miss serene mornings spent in the barn doing chores. It was all so therapeutic for me, and I’m going to miss the animals so much. I felt like the guinea pigs and bunnies were all my pets for the summer.

Now Josh and I return to Canada. As I type this we’re passing through some part of Canada. Not sure which part at the moment, but it is really pretty. I’m excited for the fall season and to start school. In these next days to come we’ll be setting up our life on Prince Edward Island as we look for an apartment, and textbooks, and do all those practical things to get ready for an exciting new season.