As Kate and I travel west to attend a camp conference, I find myself looking out of the window from 36,000 feet above. It’s night time and there are vast stretches of darkness, punctuated with little islands of light. A couple of homes here. A small town there. Every once in a while, there is a big collection of light where many live.
The Near Past
When I was in college, I read an incredible book called Undaunted Courage. It was the story of Lewis and Clark and their adventure, at the behest of President Jefferson, to explore the western parts of the newly expanded US. Because we humans have now populated almost the entire globe, it’s hard to imagine what they found.
(Some of you may have been lucky enough to ski or hike in different parts of the Rockies. Though the snow isn’t great this year, it’s normally several feet thick. Imagine trudging through hundreds of miles of that, just to find the Pacific. We humans are a tough breed.)
There were precious few spots for the exploration to ‘pull over’ for a nights rest. No long strips of President Eisenhower’s highways were lit. There were no off ramps or road signs for the nearest friendly village.
Staying Connected Today
We take for granted the technologies and comfort and safety we now enjoy. And, with these advances also come challenges. Are we connecting in a manner that benefits not only ourselves but also those around us? Are we supporting one another in our quests to be our best selves?
In today’s age of prediction markets, AI advancements and robotics revolutions… are we remaining human?
As Kate and I prepare our youngest for college and our oldest for a wedding, I can confidently say this: camp has never been more important. I fully believe summer camps represent little islands of light in our current times.
Please don’t think me a luddite. I’m confident AI will help us advance our understanding of chemistry, biology, finance and more. And… and, if we are not careful, it will continue to separate us from one another.
That separation, my friends, that is what scares me the most. Dear camper and fabulous staff member… we have already won a huge lottery just being able to be a part of ‘camp.’ You think it a small thing because you have grades and school and activities and college and whatever else.
But it’s not.
In a culture that increasingly pits us against our neighbors, the most logical path forward is one that unites rather than divides. Camp is not the answer to all of society’s ills… but it’s a fine start.
The Importance of Summer Camp
We should cherish the little island of light that is summer camp.
Of course, I’m partial to Weequahic and the way we build our own community. And…and, whether you are at Camp Starlight or Golden Arrow Camp, Airey or Blue Star, Chen-a-Wanda or the local YMCA… you are learning what it means to live in community, to share space, to build connection.
Ultimately, you begin to realize that you are part of something much greater than you are as an individual.
Go enjoy these little islands of light. Take what you’ve learned and put it back into the world. You do that, young camper or kinda-young staff member, and you’ll make our little orb a better place for those around you.
