Yesterday evening as I walked up the Hill before Taps, everything seemed just a bit too quiet. A couple of campers and counselors sat at picnic tables wrapping up games of euchre before jopping up, but it was clear that the village was emptier than it should have been and I wondered where everyone was. Then I heard it: a faint murmur rising up the Hill from the waterfront. I followed the quiet chatter down past the Rec Hall to the beach. When I turned the corner I saw dozens of campers gathered around, talking in low voices, gazing out at the lake at an awe inspiring orange moon fully illuminating a calm Lake Nebagamon.
Nobody planned the gathering. One camper probably noticed the moon and ushered over another camper. As word spread, campers and staff from the Hill to the farthest reaches of the Axeman Village congregated on the shore to take in the stunning moonrise. It was one of those organic moments that can’t really be recreated.
The timing was serendipitous. Just the day before a staff member presented a council fire on “enjoying the small moments.” As much as we look forward to the “big days” at camp– the Council Fire presenter posited– the moments in between can be just as impactful. We learned at the Council Fire that it just takes some awareness; taking a step back for appreciation and recognition. The message from the Council Fire clearly resonated.
That moment at the beach was one of my personal favorite “small moments” of the summer. It was the perfect combination of so many things we care about at camp. A moment centered around nature, enjoyed with friends, and taken on with autonomy. Nobody told the campers to go to the beach… they just showed up.
How often do we stop to appreciate the world around us in our daily lives? Or really relish the time we have with friends? How often do we take a pause and acknowledge when something really special has happened? Or even notice that a special thing has happened at all? I don’t know about you, but for me, those moments fly by too often. Our busy lives keep us moving at a million miles per hour and it’s just hard to slow down.
So at camp, we slow down.
We take time to appreciate those “small moments” that have a big impact.
Today, in the spirit of reflection I grabbed my notebook, put on my journalist hat, and roamed the grounds collecting stories to share with you all. I asked anyone in my line of sight to “tell me about one of your favorite ‘small moments’ of the summer.”
Some moments people shared with me were funny. Or at least the campers found them funny… And some of those funny memories I can even share with you in this update!
Two third graders could barely hold it together as they told me about the time they chased each other around the lower diamond with their laundry bags. I later confirmed with much relief that both of them still have all of their clothes!
An Axeman talked about laughing until he cried while watching a council fire skit. I found this touching until I realized that the joke in the skit was about me!
Some other Axemen loved doing our storm drill so much that they decided to run a mock one on their own during rest period. Score one for health and safety!
Most memories took place with friends and counselors.
One staff member described the most intense game of monopoly he’d ever played in the Lumberjack Village one evening.
One camper told me about learning how to sail. He said that the sailing instructor on his boat was really patient with him as he learned.
I heard stories about progress toward goals.
A Logger, paddling to the lighthouse for his first-ever two mile, loved the moment where the lighthouse was close enough that he could see it clearly and still far enough away that he had a bit more paddling to go. He said it was really cool to have his goal so close but to still need to put in some work to get there.
Another logger talked about being totally “locked in” as he shot a bullseye at archery.
Many small moments involved experiences in nature and wildlife encounters.
An avid fisherman described catching his first pike. He told me about how awesome it felt pulling a huge fish like that out of the water for the first time.
Another camper spoke about a mountain biking ride. His group went around a bend in the woods, he said, to find a deer standing in the middle of the trail. The group stood there watching it in silence for at least five minutes.
One camper told me about an awesome sunset in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness during first session.
A Lumberjack who visited Isle Royale National Park first session told me about a moose he’d seen with his group.
On his way to the jop late one evening a camper looked up and saw the Milky Way as clear as he’d ever seen it.
Each of your campers will return to you in less than two weeks with stories like these to sustain him all year long. On the surface, they’re just great stories… but they’re also much more. Those small moments, the stories that fill our days at camp, encapsulate the feelings of confidence, being a part of a community, and the joy that are part of what makes a summer spent at Nebagamon different than a summer spent anywhere else.
When your son returns home he’ll want to tell you about the big moments like the highest rank he earned or The Grand Pursuit, our second session competition day coming up later this week. He’ll be eager to give you the run down on his meal plan for Chef’s Cap, next week’s outdoor cooking competition or tomorrow’s social with our friends at Birch Trail Camp.
Those stories are sure to be great, but make sure you ask him about those small moments too. Ask about the coolest things he saw in nature. Ask about times when a cabinmate or counselor did something kind or supportive. Ask about times when he did something kind or supportive for someone else. Ask about times he felt proud of himself and challenges he overcame. Ask him about small moments that made him smile and about the best conversations he had during the summer. And ask about moments that were really funny too…
…on second thought, maybe skip that one!
All is well in the Northwoods