I would like to make this blog more personal this time and talk about helping lead a wilderness trip. For the first time in seven summers, I helped lead a trip of 9-12 year olds for four days on the Long Trail. Camp for the 27 Senior Lodge campers was left in the hands of my Assistant Director and more than 20 cabin staff.
Taking the trip changed me. Being with a group of eight youth reminded me why I have dedicated my life to summer camps. Seeing the transformation in four short days was inspiring. There were struggles and tears and homesickness that turned into confidence and inner strength and mutual support.
Returning to camp, I could hear about other experiences like the Chelsea Wilderness Trip which slept out through a thunderstorm and stayed dry sleeping in shelters they made sticks and brush. They felt incredibly proud of being able to stay comfortable in the elements.
We rolled into the end of the session with energy. Two campers did a “Double Biathlon: TWO laps swimming and running around the lake!” Another group just finished a 14 mile, three-peak hike in a day of Pico-Killington-Shrewsbury. This is the extra time when campers aren’t finishing up Skills Ratings, playing “Society of 39” night game, building bridges or writing appreciations for each other.
We’ll finish this wonderful session with a pirate-themed banquet (complete with elaborate skulls, treasure and kindness), awards and candle-lit appreciation ceremony.
— Tulio Browning, TL Director
