one hundred and sixty-eight hours, the twenty-sixth one

camp

summer.

We’re well into the swing of summer, aren’t we? And it’s glorious, isn’t it!?

For about 40 of my 48 years, I’ve been on a school schedule—first as a little one with a mom who was a teacher, then as a student, then as a teacher myself, and finally as the school librarian. Aside from shaping young minds, teaching students to believe in themselves, and helping them to realize they are AMAZING, the next best part of this profession is the schedule. It’s an absolute dream.

There’s a common opinion that teachers don’t make “enough” money, with conversations often swirling around the idea that teachers “deserve more.” My husband and I actually disagree. Can you imagine the joy we feel in having a summer break—and getting paid all summer to enjoy that break? I honestly can’t think of another occupation that offers a perk quite like this. We are grateful.

Yes, teaching and working in a school setting comes with its hard days—but what job doesn’t? By the time mid-June rolls around, we are more than ready for summer, and we truly love and savor every single hour until mid-August.

When June arrives, the word “CAMP” suddenly becomes a regular part of everyday conversation. Families can be found planning for and chatting about all sorts of camps, including:

Church Camp

Volleyball Camp

Family Camp

Leadership Camp

Theatre Camp

Scout Camp

Football Camp

The list goes on and on.

Photo by Lee Vue on Unsplash

camp.

Camp is a glorious experience like no other—a time to try something new, meet people outside your usual circle, challenge yourself, and grow your skills. It’s also a place where lifelong memories are made, friendships are formed, and connections, relationships, and joy naturally follow.

My parents were incredible camp parents. All three of us girls had countless opportunities to attend summer camps throughout our childhood, and I truly believe those experiences helped shape us into more well-rounded, community-minded individuals.

At camp, you're not really on vacation—you work hard and you play hard.

You start the week feeling excited, nervous, energetic, and full of curiosity.

You end the week feeling exhausted, nostalgic, grateful—and definitely dirty.

My memories of camp are these:

KP - kitchen patrol

Sleeping bags

Running to the showers as early as possible

Cold creeks

Guitars + songs around the campfire

Crushes - oh, the crushes *heart eyes*

Bus rides

Letters and care packages from home - I told you my parents were incredible CAMP parents

Canoes

Talent shows

Feeling a bit uncomfortable

Arts + Crafts

New friends

COUNSELORS

I know I’m privileged. I grew up attending wonderful summer camps, and that’s not lost on me. Now, as a leader of student activities, I truly understand the work that adults put in during those summer weeks away from home—for my benefit, and for so many others.

I'm also happy to say that all four of our children have had the opportunity to attend some type of camp. Some they were excited about, counting down the days until they could leave home. Others brought nerves, and on those drop-off days, we sat in the car offering reassurance that they’d have a wonderful time.

Whatever one’s experience with camp may be, I truly believe it helps make us better people. I’m grateful that camps exist and that they’ve played a meaningful role in both my own upbringing and that of my children.

caamp.

You read that correctly. A few years ago, I was introduced to a band called Caamp—and to me, they sound like summer.

Their sound is pure perfection to my ears. They write lyrics that mean something and pair them with music that makes me feel something. One of their best songs is “26.”

How fitting is it that my boy number two, Harris, is turning 26 this week. HVV—we love your loyal spirit, your intelligent mind, your clean and confident style, your ability to analyze a movie as a piece of art, your willingness to be silly with your siblings, your practicality, and your professionalism and politeness with everyone you meet. We’d be lost without you.

happy birthday, sweet harris vance.

Harris is a summer baby, and year after year, he shared his birthday with our family’s Independence Day celebrations. Many of his birthdays were spent at our special place—Lake of the Woods in Oregon. My children, along with my sister’s boys, are the fifth generation of our family to enjoy this magical place.

Lake of the Woods (LOW) is adult camp for me. When you open the car door after a long trek across the high desert, the scent of the Fremont-Winema National Forest wraps around you like an old friend. The history of the family who came before us is strong at the “lake.” Their pictures cover the walls, and the stories of their shenanigans fill our ears and hearts. The totem pole from our great-grandfather’s trip to Alaska long ago serves as a family landmark—and inspired the name of our cabin, Totem Cove.

We still help with KP, go on canoe rides, bunk with family members, sit and sing around the campfire—and my forever crush is there with me each year.

camp memories.

I hope that summer memories of camp fill your thoughts this week. I hope you had moments of magic when you were young, and I also hope you felt a bit uncomfortable in new situations. It makes us all stronger.

With the weight of all that currently surrounds us, we deserve to remember happy things, reflect on those moments and memories, recall how they shaped us, and appreciate the opportunities we once had.

It’s not too late to experience camp. Have you seen the movie Indian Summer? I just watched it again a few weeks ago. Seven 30-somethings return to their summer camp for a week of memories, healing, and discovering who they have become. It’s a cute film and definitely brought back strong camp memories for me. I wonder what it would be like for my friend Meredith and me to return to Sawtooth Camp as adults. I just might want to find out.

If you have fond memories of summers past, please share them with those you love. Stories only live on when we tell them aloud.

Wishing our Hare-Bear a wonderful 26th birthday.

Wishing you happy camp memories.

peace and love,

Steph

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camp mystic - my heart aches.

Unbeknownst to me, while I was reminiscing about the joy and nostalgia of summer camp, a tragedy was unfolding at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. Several girls were suddenly and devastatingly swept away by a flash flood. My heart aches for the “Mystic Girls” and for all who knew and loved them. I can only hope that, in their final moments, these sweet souls held tightly to one another and did not feel alone.

donate here if you feel so inclined - I have researched a bit and this sounds like a reputable place to give - please double-check by doing your own research before donating to a cause. Thank you.

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june has come and gone - here’s my roundup

june: seven hundred and twenty hours, the sixth one

• watching: movies about summer camp + parenthood (the tv series)

• reading: The Last Life Boat by Hazel Gaynor

• listening: the music of Caamp, of course!

• learning: how to be present for each minute of my summer

• enjoying: 3:00 pm sun date on my back patio, with a good book!

a few of my favorite movies with serious summer camp + cabin vibes:

The Parent Trap - the original from 1961

Moonrise Kingdom

Indian Summer

Dan in Real Life - I know, I know…you’ve HEARD about this one before!

Dirty Dancing

Troop Beverly Hills