Compiled by Louis Levin
I try to spend a few Arrowhead column-inches each winter discussing the incredible successes we have at camp each summer. With resolutions in the air, one camper’s story from 2024 keeps ringing in my head.
When we present the Camp Nebagamon program to potential campers, one thing we make sure to mention is intentional challenges built into our activities. We choose to go to the top of the climbing wall not because it is easy, we go to the top of the climbing wall because it is hard! Ok, not that exact rip-off quote of JFK. (Although maybe we’ll start finding a way to incorporate it – most third graders today are pretty big space race enthusiasts).
One camper came into this summer with his eyes set on waterskiing – in particular, slalom skiing. Now, waterskiing with two skis is already hard, and plenty of campers don’t achieve it on their first try (or second, fifth, tenth…). This camper came into the summer having mastered two skis and only needed a refresher to stand up early on in the season. But you know what’s cooler than two skis? One ski!
Between a rigorous trip schedule and a wide variety of interests at other projects, this boy made time to go skiing every chance he got. Turns out, balancing on one ski took practice. A lot of practice. Weeks and weeks of practice. His excitement for his goal wavered at times. He had good days and bad days, and got close to standing more than once. He would report to me often, telling me about his progress, vying for extra spots at sign-ups, and receiving an occasional needed pep talk from our spectacular waterskiing staff.
Here’s where I should tell you his hard work paid off, and in the last project period of the summer he mastered slalom skiing! But the truth is, this wasn’t the year. Our hero went home, his goal unfulfilled. I was nervous that, as camp came to a close, he was going to feel a bit dejected by his failure. After a good conversation at the end of the summer he came to realize that his efforts weren’t for naught. He learned valuable lessons about sticking to a goal, regardless of outcome, and giving himself credit for his spectacular effort. While he wasn’t exactly cheerful about his lack of success on one ski, he was clear-eyed about what’s next: coming back in 2025 and giving it another go!
We’ve got some good news of the camp family to share below! If you have anything you’d like to share in an upcoming Arrowhead Newsletter, send it my way or fill out the form here.
IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW… In New York, Justin Navidad has joined his High School wrestling team, as well as the First Responders Club. Ion Atkinson finished up flag football season and has started skiing, as well as taking SCUBA lessons. His brother Kase Atkinson is spending free time mastering how to unicycle. Peter Zeitz his cooking up a storm and is on his school’s debate team. Marc White is practicing his origami skills, and has learned how to fold his favorite transformers. Jamo Cuneen’s baseball season ended well – his team lost in the semifinals of their playoff bracket – and basketball has started up. Santi Hernandez is playing lots of chess and is a defender on his soccer team. Saul Friedman is a small forward on his basketball team and spent the fall at catcher for his baseball team. Jack Chait is playing lots of guitar and has gained an enthusiasm for RC cars this offseason. Jacob Solomon is playing lots of tennis; he reports that the biggest thing he’s working on this winter isn’t forehand, serves, or the likes, but instead is the mental game. Sagiv Siegel is developing an eye for sports photography. This winter he had the chance to shoot a West Haven varsity basketball game. William Brandler is playing lots of chess and is mastering the King’s Indian Defense and the Danish Gambit. Brother Ronen Brandler is playing tennis and violin, he’s recently been learning Bach’s Minuet 2.