Summer Camp Is Over For Another Year

Summer camp is officially over for another year. The final week was a good one, with a number of veteran councilors on the job and some familiar faces among the campers, including at least one girl who has a polarizing effect on staff opinions. I admire her intelligence and adventurousness, while others can't get past the fact that she tends to be bossy and mean to other kids (maybe because they haven't been around her enough to see her good side shine through). In her case, I take the bad with the good and try to subtly guide her away from being too obnoxious. Sometimes it even works.

The last Thursday night barbecue/campfire (during which we don't actually eat anything barbecued or have a fire burning) of the season was an emotional one. It was the last campfire that my friend and longtime staff member, Scooby, would be attending as a full staff member. Back in the Spring, he had quietly announced that he would be quitting so he could focus on being a full-time dad. He goes reluctantly, and only because he has issues with his vision and back that are making it harder and harder to be a group leader. Due to this being his last campfire, people came out of the woodwork to be there, including old staff members, staff members from other camps, teachers from local schools, and various councilors from past years. Jeanine and Eva came up, as did Willow and all of her siblings. He the most well-loved person I know, and it's completely deserved. He is also perhaps the most humble person I know, which is just one of many reasons he deserves all of the accolades he receives. Somebody really should do a documentary about him. We'll all miss him, although he'll still be around in some capacity or other.

It's the end of an era.

Check out Scooby telling stories here.

Here are some photos from the final critter hunt of the week:

Ahead of me there are three weeks off.