By Noah Stein
On May 12th I arrived at camp absolutely stoked for the summer. It was unusually warm for May that day with a high in the 80s. After quickly unloading my car I set off giddily for a stroll around the grounds. As I approached the waterfront, taking my first look of the season at glimmering Lake Nebagamon, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
Five minutes later, after jogging back to the Little House to change, I stood on the shoreline, weeks before the H-Dock would be built, and bolted into the lake. While the air had been warm, the water was… umm, refreshing?… Nevertheless I was so glad I had taken that first plunge. It felt like summer had begun.
For the rest of that first week after a day’s work had wrapped up, I’d gather whoever I could find– there weren’t many people around– to join me for a daily dip. Every day we’d march down to the waterfront, run in, run out, and then the next day we’d do it all again. The simple choice to jump into the lake turned into a highlight of my days. At the end of that week I decided to keep the steak going: I was going to get in the lake every day of the summer!
What started on a whim progressed into something much more meaningful to me. The plunge often gave me an excuse to have some serious fun! (Not that there aren’t enough excuses to have some serious fun on a daily basis at camp). Anything that got me into the lake counted towards the streak. A match of my favorite camp game, pushball? You bet! Practicing canoe over canoe rescues with future trippers? Of course! Impersonating Darth Vader in a kayak using the force to unsuccessfully prevent Swampers from flipping me into the water? Absolutely!
At other times the waterfront was quiet, and my swim took on a more reflective tone. I watched the seasons change. In the spring the green leaves on the maple tree by the rowing bench filled its branches day by day; by my last dip, autumn started painting it red. Summer warmed until fall brought cool breezes. As things changed, much remained the same: gentle waves tumbling on the beach; ripples spreading across the water as I’d jump in. I likely would have missed so many of those little moments without the streak.
Along the way I also got to share countless memorable moments with campers and staff. I swam with counselors during staff week, with campers on their first day at Nebagamon doing the swim test, during the very last general swim of the summer, and with alumni during family camp. Campers fresh off the water proudly recounted their adventures to me. I heard firsthand accounts of epic rides on the Hobie Cat, saw fish reeled in off our fishing dock, and milestones met at the swimming project. Before I knew it, summer had flown by…and I had been in the lake 108 days in a row! (Though I concede that I did not swim while I was in Minneapolis for changeover, but I’m not counting that against my streak!)
As I packed my things a few weeks ago, I recognized some similarities between my choice to jump in the lake every day and choices Nebagamon campers make every summer. All of you campers get to set some big goals every summer– working towards a high rank in a project, spending a lot of time on trail, or setting out to make some new friends–or even silly (albeit extremely impressive and inspiring) goals like jumping in the lake every day. Those big goals all start with a first plunge. You try an activity for the first time and learn you love it. You go on a trip and find sleeping in a tent more comfortable than you expected. You spend some time with a new friend and realize you have a lot in common. Through each choice you test the waters and decide what it is that you want to accomplish, gaining confidence, grit, and a lifetime’s worth of fun along the way.
Finishing my streak felt awesome, but I realized that what felt more impactful to me were all the experiences I had along the way. All of those fun memories, reflections, and connections with all the other lakegoers. Oftentimes you campers come to that conclusion with your own achievements too!
A month and a half removed from camp I hope that you can reflect on what you accomplished this summer. While the memories of your achievements live in your mind in that far away place and time that is summer camp, all of those accomplishments and all that you gained along the way can send ripples throughout your offseason ahead.
