Crickets

There are three signs that nature sends us every summer to let us know that camp is fleeting; going too fast. First we see the Canadian geese overhead, in tight V formation flying low over Mitchell Field heading south in advance of the cold. You can hear the squawking as they approach, zeroing in on their flight path.

Next is the sight of the first red leaves. Usually, you can find them down by the lake. There they are, on the tips of the tallest trees, red, yellow and gold waving in the breeze coming off Lake Greeley. It’s always the first week in August, just before Color Days, color!

And finally there are the crickets. They start at dusk, just as the sun goes down over the tree tops above the girls pool. You can hear just a few, here and there, during the month of July. The sound gets louder each week. Louder and louder, a crescendo, until the final days of camp, when they sound like a symphony. Sometimes you have to raise your voice to be heard over the cacophony of sound.

The smell of pines, the sight of a Milky Way of stars above, the feel of brisk mountain air and the happy crazy sound of crickets.

Set your ringtone to crickets as a reminder of those glorious, magical nights at camp._8245941_orig

T.G.F.C.

T.G.F.C.

Thank Goodness For Camp.

Let’s face it, June is a crazy month.  With end of year school work piled high, recitals, playoffs and camp packing, even my lists have lists! June really is the craziest month of the year, at least for me. I’m sure most of you can agree. As I keep telling myself, this is all “good stuff”, so I try not to stress because it really is true. How lucky we are, moms and dads, and our children, who are wrapping up another successful school year and going to CAMP!!

I had the good fortune to be up at PFC last weekend for New Camper Weekend. While there, my daughter called me, stressed about her finals, etc.  All I could say to her was “don’t worry, it’ll be over soon and you’ll be here before you know it. Camp couldn’t look more beautiful and it’s waiting for you.”  She replied in four simple words, “I can’t wait, Mom.”  It might sound corny but that reply brought tears to my eyes. Camp makes my daughter happy.

Camp provides a well-deserved, healthy escape for our kids…a place to re-invent, to unplug, to have fun. Pure unadulterated fun. In this day and age, I can’t imagine anything more necessary. For 10 months out of the year, our kids run around like crazy. They live on their iPhone, iPad, iTouch and all I want, is for them to go to camp. It gives my children joy and so too, me.

I am so thankful for PFC and for the opportunities it provides my children for 7 weeks.  PFC is my daughter’s happy place.  I don’t know what she would do without it.  She has grown to need camp, to work all year to have camp and to cherish it every day. She never takes it for granted.

I share this story with you because my hope is that every child who steps foot off the bus on June 28th can exhale like I know my daughter will. Eventually, I’ll exhale too.

T.G.F.C.

Hillary Slovin