It’s hard to believe that the summer has passed already – There’s an old saying in the world of camping that a day feels like a week, a week feels like a month and a month feels like a year.  It explains how we can all become so close so quickly.  And yet, when we look back and reflect on the time, it seems like the month was really a week!

We never stop feeling amazed at how much our staff and campers are able to achieve together in 3.5 short weeks.  Many of our campers have never been away from home before and yet, at the end of camp, when their parents arrive to pick them up, they take them on a tour of camp as if it is their second home.  They introduce them to friends they’ve made and they “show off” their new talents.  We feel so proud to be a part of such a life-changing community.  All day today, parents have thanked us for giving their child this opportunity for growth and friendship and we are grateful for the words of appreciation.  But, we know that we had very little to do with all of the successes – we bring people together and the magic that happens at camp is due mostly to our staff and the experience that camp can bring to any child.  It’s the opportunity for independence and challenge that is life-changing.  It’s the way campers receive feedback from staff and from their peers on a continual basis.  It’s the fact that everyone at Akeela feels like they are valued and important – a part of a community.

We love what we do and feel lucky to do it.  We know how camp has changed our lives, both as children and now, as adults and are so happy to share it with a new generation.  We are honored that so many parents have trusted us with their children and believe in what we’re doing at Akeela.  While it’s always sad to say goodbye, we are already looking forward to next summer and hope to see many of our friends again in 2014.

-Eric and Debbie