September 11th

Re-entry

One of the challenges of my job is the transition from the deep intensity of summer camp to the everything else that follows it. It is always jarring to watch this community that we put so much effort and thought into dissolve as staff head off to other adventures and campers return to school and my own family returns to the rhythms of fall.

This year the swell of noise and activity and love and connection of summer camp receded and set me gently on my feet in this quiet place.  Some years the transition isn’t so gentle. Some years I wash ashore battered and crawling and it takes some time lying on the metaphorical sand before I am ready to do much.  Thankfully, this isn’t one of those years. A strong staff team doing amazing work has made this an easier summer for me. I am here energized and looking forward to the next thing.

And as an aside, if you know any of those fine young folks, be proud of them! I know I am. They worked so hard and with such careful attention to the kids here.

My long experience has taught me that this moment of transition still takes care. I have also learned to have a plan:

First, I will rest. Check. I took some time. I hiked with my kids, did my laundry, sat by the fire with the people I love. I read and rested. I ate and napped. This part is built into my job description thanks to the wisdom of past Camp Directors and Camp Committees.

Then I putter. I clean up activity areas. I bring in the things that need to be in for winter. I reorganize the office and clean my desk. And eventually, when I can’t think of anything else to keep me busy, I do my filing. My puttering is almost done, but the pile of filing still towers ominously to my right. Finally, once I have surrendered and completed the filing pile, then it is time to think about going forward.  That is the point where I am “all the way back.” 

Almost there.

In the midst of this we welcome churches, schools, and other user groups. The beats of programming for these groups and visiting with familiar faces from across the province add a bit of structure to my days and help to frame each week. Valaqua is busy every weekend of the year and lots of mid weeks too and we are always so happy to share this amazing place with you!

Fall is a time of transition for so many of us. Whether it is returning to school, returning from holidays, or just bringing the coats out of storage, I hope you are transitioning well!