Tues, Sept 8, 2026

I Promise It Didn't Rain All Summer

It’s been almost 3 weeks since the last overnight campers departed and I’ve spent a good chunk of that time thinking back through this summer and everything that we experienced; the good, the ‘bad’ (it’s camp, so nothing’s really ever that bad), the fun, the challenges, the new, the traditions.

Here are some of my most memorable moments from this summer (and yes, they are mostly weather related):

1. That time we lost power for 48 hours after an intense storm (some might call it a tornado), but we still managed to feed everyone, provide warm showers, and carry on with camp as ‘normal’ (the hum of the generators will live on forever in my mind).
2. The mass indoor slumber party during the smokey days of the Canada wildfires. Hearing that it was every kid's favorite thing absolutely made my day the next morning.
3. The heatwave. The way our staff pivoted to add water to all programming was so impressive… nothing better than kids joyously running through sprinklers!
4. Opening Campfire of Session 4 under the big green tent because of, yes, you guessed it, more rain. There was just a special buzz of excitement in the air and it was probably my favorite campfire of the summer.
5. When our staff raised over $16,500 in the staff auction at the end of orientation. Their generosity and passion for our campers blew me away.
6. Sitting at Oval every day after lunch with my 3-year-old and 9-month-old, surrounded by a group of campers who wanted to just hang out and play with my kids.

I could go on and on. And I haven’t even touched on all the activities, the theme days, the inflatables at Carnival Day, Hawaiian pool parties, shaving cream battles, expeditions, overnights, the incredible Day Camp Family BBQs, kids performing at the Showcase, trail rides, the excitement of getting up on waterskis for the first time, Square Dance…

It’s a lot. Sometimes I think, how did we possibly fit it all into just 8 weeks? 

There’s no other place that enables you to be so busy and yet also so chill. Where else do you get to jump into the pool with all your clothes on, just because? Or hang out with your friends in a hammock for an hour during Odyssey because that’s what you feel like doing that day? Or challenge yourself to try something new because you have the support of the people around you?

Where else can you create bonds with new friends in a matter of hours? Or stand up in front of 200+ people and give a speech about something that means a lot to you (the LEADs gave some AMAZING speeches this summer). Or learn that you can in fact keep track of your belongings (mostly) and rely on yourself away from the safety net of home.

At camp, that’s where.

See you next summer!

Ru