This will be my final blog post of the season. It has been an honor and a privilege to give you a first-hand look into your child’s experience here at Camp Takajo. We often say that, while some of the days feel long, the weeks fly by.
During this condensed period of time, your son has had to challenge himself physically, socially, and emotionally. Living among your peers twenty-four hours a day for this extended period of time, while very gratifying, can also be challenging. Children are forced to learn how to navigate through all kinds of social situations.
Living in a camp setting teaches one empathy, compassion, and a respect for their surroundings. Living away from home fosters accountability for one’s actions without the safety net of those who shield their loved ones in their moments of need. Camp allows every child to develop strong friendships, overcome personality flaws, and provides them with an opportunity to become the best that they can be.
This growth and development can only happen in a traditional, full season setting. When your boys return home to you, they are going to be exhausted. It will almost be hard for you to comprehend that just one day prior they were running and participating in the camp program at full speed.
Many of these boys will settle into home life and may need a few days of concentrated rest. I often use the analogy of an athlete running in a marathon being able to sprint to the finish, only to collapse upon completion of the race.
Because you are so excited to reunite with your child, you are likely to pepper him with questions about his experience. Please do not be surprised if your son is less communicative than you might expect. He has just created hundreds of memories, and these stories and anecdotes will likely come out over the course of time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued trust and confidence. It is an honor and privilege to be able to spend my summer with your sons, and it is one that I never will take for granted. On behalf of Warren and my entire staff, I wish you a safe and happy end to your summer. I am already counting down the days until we meet again.
