Y Talk: Letters Home from Camp by Brittany Rose

Each week during closing ceremony at Camp Thompson Resident Camp I share a story during chapel. One week this summer I shared the poem below to remind staff, campers and parents that being at camp is about the simple things. We don’t have to have the new, best, coolest programs (although we think we have plenty of these). Rather it is the staff, relationships and the campers that make camp special and exciting each year.

Camping is more than just getting away. It’s clear blue sky, the song of a bird, the beckoning woods, the wide open spaces

Camping is greeting the breath of dawn unhindered by the walls of city life and watching the sun set in ribbons of color as it says good night to a perfect day

Camping makes hearts grow lighter and food taste better. It’s sharing stories around a campfire and gazing up in silence at a star-filled sky

Camping is more than just getting away. It’s the thing we need to rekindle the spirit of a simpler time, refresh our hearts with nature’s beauty and remind us that life doesn’t need to be quite so complicated after all

~Kimberly Rinehart

Then during our last week of Camp Thompson Resident Camp I asked some of our campers to write letters home and tell their parents about the experiences they have at camp.

Dear Dad,

Camp is epic. I never imagined camp being so fun! Meals are a little strict – you can’t put your elbows on the table and today I went canoeing. I have the most best friends ever. Thursday I camp under the stars – yeehaw!

Love,

Your camper

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Dear Dad, Mom and brothers,

I miss you all very much. Hope you’re having fun. Thank you for the package, I love it. The food here is delicous. I can’t wait for tower, I’m going for level two. You’re going to LOVE our skit. Can’t wait to see you Friday. Love you.

Sincerely,

Your favorite

P.S.: Dad, I’m on the yellow team not red.

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Dear Mom and Dad,

I just went mountain boarding and I landed the jump off the ramp and got a gatorade, 5 starbursts and a bracelet. Camp is going really good, thank you for bringing me. It’s the best camp ever.

Love,

Your camper

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To Mom and Dad,

I am having so much fun at camp. So far I have went to crazy campfire, which is when all of the counselors dress up in crazy outfits, sing and dance. Today we went kayaking and then we swam in the lake. I am having so much fun. Love you both very much.

Bye,

Your camper

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Dear Mom and friend,

It’s really fun. There was a spider on my back when I went kayaking. I just had lunch and it was really good. I’m finishing up my letter now during rest hour before I head to third activity. See you Friday.

Love,

Camper

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Dear Mom,

Today we made tea in nature. We found sassafras and we made tea with it. In OLS we made a fire. By we I mean my new friend Ellie and I.

During rest hour we decorated our flags. Our counselor/cabin captain Sarah is so much fun, and our cabin mates are really funny. Tomorrow I think I’m going to sign up for either canoeing or kayaking, and in the morning I think I’m going to do yoga. Anyways, hope all is well back in the burg! Remember I want to hear all about the Minions movie and I will tell you ALL about this week.

Te Doa,

Your Camper

Thank you to all the parents who chose Carlisle Family YMCA camps and Camp Thompson this 2015 season!

-by Brittany Rose, Camping Services Director