I remember my first visiting day as a Takajo camper. I was nine years old, and my first activity was waterskiing.
As luck would have it, it was the first day of my rotation, and I found myself with the skis on and the boat engine churning, trying to get the tips out of the water and keep my arms straight. Looking over my shoulder, I could see a packed dock of parents, including my own and campers.
My father had his 8mm movie camera going so he could capture the moment I popped out of the water for my first time on skis. That would have been the perfect visiting day memory. However, I never made it up on skis. I fell multiple times and digested what felt like half of Long Lake. Shamed and embarrassed, I swam back to the dock, barely enough room to climb out of the water surrounded by onlookers.
I was trying to be stoic and fight back the tears, I had not seen my parents in four weeks, and all I wanted to do was impress them. Visiting day is an emotional day, and upon reflection, had it not been a day where my parents and other parents were on the ski dock, I would have been greeted by a counselor who would have given me a high five for trying, some words of encouragement telling me tomorrow is another day, and I would have moved on to my next activity.
However, it was visiting day, and the emotion of failing remained with me throughout my morning. I share this with you because you may have an emotional moment on your visiting day, and I hope you can separate the emotion and recognize that much of what you may be witnessing would not be happening if you were not here.
We have an exciting day planned for you this Saturday. It is hard to imagine that so many of you have never had the opportunity to visit this campus. You will spend time in your son’s bunk, meet his counselors, tour the facility that has become his home, enjoy lunch in his dining room, and observe his routine by following your son from activity to activity.
I would highly suggest that you attend all scheduled activities. It will give you a great appreciation for our program and instruction level, but also because the break in routine can often create boredom and sadness. Your son will thrive as he takes you from activity to activity, and I imagine you will feel a great sense of pride witnessing your son in his summer home.
We will end our day promptly at 4:00, and your son will be surrounded by his counselors as you say goodbye. There will always be a few that will become emotional, but my experience shows me that our boys get back into their routine only minutes after their parents are gone. Please do not bring anything in excess, only his favorite treats he can consume in one day. Here is hoping for blue skies and creating your perfect visiting day memories.
