Theme days always add a little extra punch to camp life, and it just so happens that yesterday was Taylor Swift Day at Keystone. Based on the number of Taylor Swift t-shirts I saw in the dining hall at lunch, she is the favorite recording artist of the times. I should have had that figured out after driving Big Blue, the camp bus, to Sliding Rock Wednesday night. The singing on the way into the forest was all Taylor Swift songs. Of course, my staff had to tell me that as I spend most of my time listening to Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles. Oh, how the times have changed! I remember my father commenting early in my career when he drove the bus for me that he couldn’t handle the songs the girls sang. All he could make out was, “Something about a little red corvette…” Ah, the Prince years! Life does come full circle, doesn’t it?
At this point in the session, we have settled into our time together. I hosted a couple of guests from our local business community for lunch today, and they were thrilled to experience the camaraderie, the singing and the meal. Camp is a special opportunity, particularly in an all girls camp. There is nothing like being in this tremendously supportive community where we can truly be ourselves. We aren’t worried about grades, class rank, or making the team. We all have a place to belong.
The strength of our community shows up in our numbers. The July session is 100% returning campers with 67% having been here at least 4 years. 27% of these girls are children of alumnae. Of course, our Mini I girls are almost the opposite in that 48% are new to us this year. It is our hope to see all of them in our longer sessions as they grow older.
I know camp is in good hands with Jazz, Izzy, and Catherine, so I usually head up the hill to my house around dinner time. Wednesday night was different as we did not get back from Sliding Rock and Dolly’s until 8:15. I stuck around a bit in the office and found myself leaving after the girls were in their cabins getting ready for bed. I could see the lights on in the cabins, and I could hear the happy voices sharing the end of a good day at camp. I stood in the middle of the road and absorbed the sounds of the song of camp. It resonates in your soul, and it made for a good day for me.
I really cannot think of a career that allows you more of a privilege than one where you provide a supportive, nurturing environment for children… and if you stay around long enough, you get the honor of working with the next generation.
