Dear Camp Takajo Families,
It’s with great excitement that I reach out to you for the first time this summer to share with you how excited I am for the start of Camp Takajo’s seventieth season. I started at Camp Takajo as a nine-year-old camper back in 1970, and since that date, I have never missed a summer on the beautiful shores of Long Lake. This is my 28th summer at the helm, and I am honored to have the privilege of working with your children. I am flanked by my best friend, and Associate Director, Warren Davis, who celebrates his 45th anniversary at Takajo. We, along with an amazing administrative staff, are here to assist in caring for your boys.
Our facility is in the best shape ever. We have assembled an outstanding group of young men and women who can’t wait for opening day. While I know, intellectually, you recognize that the summer camp experience will be an incredibly rewarding and beneficial one for your son, I too recognize, on an emotional level, the thought of saying goodbye to the love of your life, which is nothing short of heart-wrenching.
Here are a few points to consider:
- Your child is prepared for this experience. Our children often surprise us with their sense of independence, and their ability to thrive away from us.
- Don’t let your child see that you may be emotional. Present a positive outlook and see tomorrow as a celebration of this unique and amazing opportunity.
- If necessary, point out times when your son didn’t want to do something (day camp, after school programs, parties), and yet the end result turned out to be far greater than anticipated.
- When you go back to your home after dropping your child off to meet up with the other boys in your community, you are likely to go to your son’s room and feel a sense of separation. Please know, that while you are “pining away,” your son will have arrived at camp, been warmly greeted by his bunk counselors and the rest of our amazing staff, and is already engaged in a fun activity.
Along with my staff, I am here for you. Please know that if there is anything I can do for you or your child to have an enriching experience, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. I look forward to communicating with you each and every day and sharing special moments that occur at camp through the Tak Talk Blog.
Here’s a link to a video we made in anticipation of tomorrow’s Opening Day! https://youtu.be/mUzF7PqCtNE
Jeff
