Compiled by Louis Levin
After nearly 25 reunions in 19 cities across the country, the rest of the roadshow team and I have returned to our respective homes. It was a terrific trip across the country, and truly, it felt like a big deal when the reunion came to town! So many camp folks were looking forward to an opportunity to see all their camp folks. Campers got to connect with their pals from last summer and peruse photos from those halcyon summer days (…six months ago). And alumni jumped at the chance to reconnect with camp and the camp community in their hometown. Of course, each reunion and each city in our community is unique, but there are a few things we heard at nearly every reunion: Between so many comments of “It’s so good to see you!”, “Remember when we…” and “Boy Adam’s hair is thinning,” one remark stuck out in my mind, and I heard it at nearly every reunion: “We should do this more often!”
Well, I can’t promise you that we’ll do more than one reunion in your city next winter, but let me take this opportunity to tell you that you can! Call your camp buddies!
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Now, I get it – the reunion tour is a special and meaningful touchpoint for the camp family each winter, and there’s nothing quite like it. I’m not suggesting that you try to host your own reunion this summer – it would take you months, nay, years to come up with the high quality and intelligent jokes that Noah and I tell during the presentation. But it strikes me as a little surprising when the last time some of you camp folks saw your camp buddy was… at the last reunion! So, here’s the plan: we’re coming back to your city next winter, in somewhere between 9 and 12 months, and when we do, I can’t wait to hear about how you and your camp buddies went to a baseball game this summer, or how you hosted a dinner party for your cabin mates, or how you simply picked up the phone and reconnected with a camp friend.
Thank you for attending all our reunions this winter. Those evenings with the camp family are the truest embodiment of our motto – Keep The Fires Burning. Please, keep them burning until we’re back in your hometown again next winter!
Our news from the last road show is below – if you’ve got something to share with the camp family, send me an email at [email protected]!
IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW… In Seattle, Wynter Herron is racing through ski season in the slalom and giant slalom events for the Whistler Mountain Ski Club. Aiken Colman is the center for his 11 and under basketball team… at only 9-and-a-half years old! Gage Halloway is the dungeon master for his burgeoning Dungeons and Dragons club, and Jacob Wallenstein is working on adding power to his swing playing center field and third base for his baseball team. And in Minneapolis, Sam Schwartz is the point guard for his basketball team and enjoyed cheering on the Buckeyes in their College Football Playoff championship. Henry Knutson is building with Legos and had a lead role in his community theater’s production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!” Finally, Alex Mambo has been playing football and bouldering through winter.
ENGAGEMENT CONGRATULATIONS GO TO… Jason Hirschhorn (LA/Hanover, NH, 2000-’02, ’08-’13, ’15, ’18-’19, ;22, ’24) and Emma Templeton.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW… Rick Smith (Highland Park, 1971-’76, ’78, ’81) is president of Priority Sports and serves as the agent for some prominent Chicago sports figures, like former Bull and current Warrior’s head coach Steve Kerr and new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, as well as Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn and Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.