As they walked down a candlelit Infirmary Hill, the July 2010 campers prepared themselves for the Final Campfire of July 2010. Final campfire at CSL is a very special moment, where together as a group, we reflect on the month that we shared together. Each and every one of us has grown, matured, or transformed in some way, and this is the time to publicly recognize this unique and special experience. As is tradition, Unit Heads deliver a speech, followed by one member from each of their villages (and two Senior Campers.)
Camp as a whole was deeply moved by the insightful things that were said at the campfire. Cayuga Unit Head Stefan Cohen talked about the meaning of a phrase that rings throughout the village all summer long, “Our Boys.” He couldn’t have said it better, as the Cayuga campers have endeared themselves not only to the Cayuga staff but to the entire camp community. Onondaga Unit Head Emily Weinger spoke about the experience of being together as a village and the accomplishments that the youngest girls in camp have achieved together this summer. Mohawk Unit Head Jason Feldman delivered a powerful speech about the distinctive composition of Mohawk this summer. Jason encouraged the entire camp community to follow Mohawk’s model by bringing our unique strengths to a group and not conforming to stereotypical models of what “should” be. Seneca Unit Head Andrea Kovalsky talked about the meaning of tradition at camp. She read a beautiful piece that she had written about camp many years ago and powerfully demonstrated how many of the elements that were so special about camp then, are still alive and well today in 2010. Finally, Tusc Assistant Unit Head Anna Kreitzer delivered a moving speech in the form of a letter to CSL. In one segment of Anna’s speech, she reminded us to be kind to each other and love each other more than we think that we can. Anna highlighted the fact that we are all part of one family at CSL. When we look back on our experience here, we will never think that we loved our family too much. Anna challenged the Tusc campers who still have three and a half weeks together to show each other how much they care about one another every single day in everything that they do.
After the camp rendition of “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” the final campfire ended with hugs and tears abound. It was a marvelous session and we are sad to see all of our July campers go.
