Structure is one of the best things we can provide boys.
Children thrive when they know what comes next. They flourish when they’re busy, engaged, and moving with purpose from one activity to another. At camp, your sons have settled into a rhythm: the sound of Reveille gets them out of bed, they make their way to breakfast with their bunkmates, they grab their equipment, head to activities, and spend the day doing rather than thinking. Tomorrow, we’re going to interrupt that routine.
There’s excitement around camp tonight. Your boys can’t wait to show you their summer home, introduce you to their counselors, and proudly introduce you to the friends who have become such an important part of their lives.
Anyone who knew our founder, Morty Goldman, knew he had a great sense of humor. With a smile, he used to call Visiting Day a “necessary evil.” Morty understood that boys thrive on structure and routine, and Visiting Day briefly interrupts the rhythm that has helped your son grow over the past four weeks. So my advice is simple: don’t take him out of his routine—join him in it. Follow him through his day, watch him play, meet his counselors, spend time with the friends who have become such an important part of his summer.
As the afternoon comes to a close, some boys will become emotional. That’s okay. As I always say, loving camp and missing home are not mutually exclusive. Give him a hug, tell him you’re proud of him, and remind him you’ll see him soon. Our counselors will be there the moment you leave. They’ll provide exactly what your son needs: encouragement, reassurance, and a healthy return to the routine that has served him so well.
At 4:00 p.m. when you depart, we’ll all gather for our Mega Raffle, one of the great traditions of Visiting Day and the perfect way to bring the entire camp community back together before dinner.
Here’s to a long-awaited reunion!
