As I walked across the camp today, I noticed our counselors putting the finishing touches on their activities. The swim staff was raking the beach. The water skiing staff was filling our towboats with fuel. The basketball counselors were removing pine needles that had appeared overnight from their courts. The hobby counselors were organizing their new inventory in preparation for their first classes. The land sports counselors were lining the fields one more time before our campers arrive.
I’ve spent the last two weeks with my staff, and I’m incredibly proud of their work ethic, their enthusiasm, and desire to learn about your boys in an effort to provide them a safe and enriching summer. In my opening remarks on the first day of orientation, I told the staff that we were going to cover a myriad of subjects that range from social and emotional integration, helping children overcome their fears, teaching one’s activity, and how to look for signs of distress, especially after the year we’ve all had.
While the sessions have been informative, I told the counselors that the most important takeaway from this orientation is to treat each child as if that boy’s parents were there watching you interact with him at all times. We understand how challenging it is for many of you to trust someone else with the care of your child. Creating the visual image of having you with us as we interact with your son is a constant reminder of our pledge to be loving and supportive role models.
The camp has never looked better. The fields are manicured and ready for play. The clothing is in the cubbies, and the beds made, just waiting for the ultimate sleepover. We stand poised and ready to see those buses come rolling down the hill. Here’s to an incredible 75th summer at Camp Takajo.
