The Time Has Come

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Every spring, I start to count down the days until we are back in Oxford, PA. I always feel like a kid again – I get so excited to go to camp. I’m already getting antsy for this summer. Our 6 year old daughter will be in a bunk for the first time. Her first summer at Saginaw was when she was 9 months old. I honestly think she has been anxiously awaiting going into a bunk since then. Every store we go in, she points out something she wants to buy or bring to camp. She also loves to tell me all the things she is going to do with her camp friends. Saying she’s excited is an understatement.

Despite my role as camp director, I have many emotions that other first time camp parents feel. I am thrilled, nervous, excited and hesitant. Let’s face it; my daughter is finally going to experience overnight camp like everyone one else. I know the system that Saginaw has in place and I know it works. It’s just that, I worry. I can only observe her from afar, which allows both of us to have an authentic experience. I hope she loves it as much as I loved camp when I was a camper. I hope that Saginaw continues to be the “best place in the world” in her eyes.

In addition to the emotions that I am feeling, I am faced with the reality of camp preparations. FORMS and PACKING! I, like all other camp parents, will be completing the online forms, labeling every single item and designating a room in my house to camp packing. Who really needs a dining room? These tasks seem daunting, even for me, whose life revolves around camp. I have promised myself to start the process early and hope that my public proclamation helps me stick to it… I’ll keep you posted.