Willsboro, NY

Volume XXXXXI

August 17, 2008

“THEN THERE WERE NONE”

Campers return home and another successful summer comes to an end.

   On June 29th campers gathered on MacCready field to greet the bus that was filled with their friends to welcome them for the summer. On August 16th campers gathered again, only this time it was to say goodbye to the old and new friends that they had made this summer. Rain didn’t fall yesterday morning but tears certainly did as campers said their final goodbyes. Campers were a mass of arms as they huddled in groups for one last time.

   Elizabeth Edwards felt the day was very sad because “all my friends are leaving.” Others mentioned that they would miss the closeness that came from living in a small community. Campers didn’t just exchange goodbyes with each other though; many went to say goodbye to their favorite horse or camp dog. Some just needed a few minutes to stand in their empty cabin for one last look.

   Campers clutched onto their awards folders as they wrote final notes and exchanged information while waiting for (to the delight of many) the delayed bus to arrive. As second year CIT Montana Machson walked across the field she yelled, “I hate this day. It’s so sad,” and everyone seemed to agree. For some campers the goodbyes are only until next summer, but for others they feel permanent because they won’t be back next summer. The beauty of summer camp though, is that even though it may not feel like it, you can always return.

(click here for the “Goodbye Gallery”)

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH...

SHARP SWAN: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CAMP POK-O-MACCREADY

1. How long have you been at Camp Pok-O-MacCready?

   I have been at camp for fifty four years.

2. What is your favorite camp activity or event?

   I really enjoy the Blue and Gray Game because it’s new and there is a lot more strategy involved than the Rev War; however, I have always loved Rev War.

3. What is your favorite thing about being the Executive Director of Camp Pok-O-MacCready?

   The kids; that’s why I have been doing this for so many years. I also like the idea that I am continuing my family’s tradition of running a summer camp.

4. Favorite camp meal?

   It used to be the hash which we don’t have any more so hamburgers and french fries would be my new favorite.

5. What is the most special thing about camp for you?

   It is the effect that this place has on people. I think it is so rewarding to watch how the experiences that people have here at camp help them to learn and grow and become better people.   

A FINAL THOUGHT

   When I started “5 Questions With...” I thought that it would be interesting to see the different responses that people would have to the same five questions. As expected people here at camp had various years of experience, enjoyed different activities and definitely preferred different camp meals. Something that I did not expect; however, was that each person who was asked “What is the most special thing about camp for you” in so many words, responded the same way.

   There is a feeling here that is hard to articulate but when attempted words like, community, lifelong friends and home are mentioned. Whatever the phenomena is it is something that keeps people coming back. At times when you leave camp it can feel like you are leaving forever but this is not the case. Camp may be a place where you spend only one summer or fifty four, but it is a place that is always here. It is a place were you can always return.

   Thank you for a great 104th summer and we look forward to seeing you for the 105th.

Love,

The Web Masters

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