This time of year, many kids are headed off to overnight camp. That was the case for my friend’s two grandsons, a first experience for the 8-year-old and second, for his older brother who’s 9. For the parents and grandparents there was both excitement and apprehension. While various family members had attended that same camp, and the older boy had gone last year, the experience of camp is very individual and depends on the child and the personalities of the camp staff.

A Today’s Parent magazine article by Lisa Kadane highlights some of the positive experiences of time away from home and parents. Kids can gain confidence with first experiences — like paddling canoes and living out in nature. They can build their resilience by taking chances and risks. They meet children from other places who may be different from their friends at home.

Recently, when going through my desk drawer, I found a reminder of my first experience at camp. The summer after 5th grade, I attended Camp Moonelon, a United Church of Christ’s camp near Elon College. Mama went with me as an adult volunteer. I was glad she was there, but also glad that she was in a separate cabin — to give me space. My reminder of camp was one of those cherished blue aerogrammes containing a letter from a missionary doctor I met. Dr. John Crozier was an Australian physician who served in India through our church conference with the UCC World Ministries. He was our visiting missionary for that week.

What I remember about camp was how I loved being out in nature. The cinderblock row of cabins with bunkbeds was surrounded by woods. You had to go down a path to the rustic dining hall for meals and assemblies in the evenings. Across the front of that hall was a covered porch with an outside ping pong table. That week I learned that I was a pretty competitive player for an almost 6th grader. Down another path was the swimming pool and there was a pond in sight.

What made the biggest impact on me were my conversations with Dr. Crozier. He had such a kind, grandfather-like manner. His tales of working with people in a leprosy colony were engaging and inspiring. I’d started thinking about being a nurse and told him so. What stayed with me was the way he listened; I didn’t feel like he was treating me like a kid; he treated me as a person.

Before we left on that Saturday morning, I said goodbye to him. I’ll always remember he said, “When you become a nurse, come help me in my clinic, Connie.”

The following fall, he came to our church. He wanted to visit with our family and the only time that worked was before school. Mama cooked a hearty breakfast and Dr. Crozier borrowed a bike from our minister and rode the mile down the highway to our house — something people didn’t do back then. How special I felt that a doctor, the most respected professional to my family, took the time and effort to come to see me — and Mama.

I received a letter from him on July 28, 1973. That was the month before I left for college as a pre-nursing major. How touched I was by all he remembered about me, even noting that I’d wanted a horse. I’d forgotten about that! Mama must have told him about the plans to build a new house which we moved into two years after he visited. Later, when I read a novel based in India, I realized more of what it was like to work with leprosy patients. How deep his faith and commitment to serve.

My friend tells me that when her grandsons returned from camp, she asked each what they liked most. The older boy said he’d enjoyed Chapel where he learned about missionary, Jim Elliott. That 9-yr-old even thought he’d like to be a camp counselor one day. The younger boy loved swimming and Chapel. He did experience some difficulty with being teased, but named the guys who were nice to him. Surely he learned some resiliency from staying that entire week — even when times were tough.

I’m thankful for those experiences at summer camp that stay with us — both the inspirational ones and the tough times of teasing. We never know how they will impact our lives. They don’t just fill up down time from school, they are another type of education that’s valuable.

Blessings on all those camp staff and the parents who endure the anxiety of letting go of their young.

Connie