The Sari Diaries- Friday 8/8/14

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

The time has come when I am left with a pit in my stomach that I only feel once a year. It is difficult to describe, but if you have been fortunate enough to experience a summer at CRC, you know the feeling that while painful, is a sure sign of an incredible summer. One of the Lakeview campers talked yesterday about appreciating every moment we have on Chippy soil- don’t waste it being upset or sad- just live in the moment and enjoy. She was also wise enough to advise us that once the summer is over we must recognize how lucky we are to have lived in such a special community for these past two months. When she said it, I was nodding and thinking that those words were so true. And now, as I sit in the office alone, with a lump in my throat and that feeling in my stomach, I am following that camper’s advice. I am going to take this opportunity to reflect on the good times, and to thank the many people who helped create this magical summer.

First, I would like to thank the parents of our campers for sharing your daughters with us. It is a big leap of faith to entrust others with the care of your children, so thank you for providing us with the opportunity to spend the summer with your daughter and to see her learn, grow, love and live. Thank you also for raising good people…I think that we see the best version of each camper at camp, but it is clear that every single one of these girls comes from a supportive and caring home.

To the #CRC2014 campers- you guys have amazed me every single day for the past eight weeks. I have loved competing with you on the tennis courts, climbing with you on the high ropes course, dancing with you in the theater, hanging with you in your cabins, making announcements with you in the office, cheering with you in the lodge, celebrating 4th of July with you and laughing about the little things with you. To the first time Chippies, thanks for trying something new…taking a chance that was hopefully worthwhile. To the Lakeview campers- I have said it before, but I want to say it again, you guys were a fabulous group and I genuinely appreciate all of the love and dedication that you have given this place throughout your camper years. And to every camper in between, thank you for keeping the spirit of Chippewa alive. Camp would not be the same without each and every one of you, so thank you for being you and for being here.

People often ask what makes Chippewa so special. Why are we different? I typically begin by telling them that it is something unspoken and unseen, something that can only be felt when you are a part of this family, something that pulls people back for ten, twelve, fifteen or more summers. As I try to describe it though, my narrative always goes back to our counselors. I am consistently in awe of the remarkable staff that Chippewa has. Both the old time Chippies and new staff are legit out of this world. I feel confident to say that this group of 110 staff who are almost all between the ages of 16 and 25, are some of the most responsible, caring, fun and committed young adults alive. The constant attention and love that they provide for our campers is unmatched, and I feel forever indebted to them for their hard work throughout this summer.

While I could go on forever and ever about all of the wonderful people who have helped make this summer the best one yet, I will thank those individuals in a private manner so as not to overdo it here. I do want to end this though by expressing once again how incredibly lucky I feel. I have the world’s greatest job and get to be surrounded by the world’s greatest people. Not only that, but I get to be a part of something that is so much bigger than myself. When thinking about why I love my job, sometimes it seems obvious…who wouldn’t want to be at camp for four months a year? More than that though, I love it because I know what a profound impact camp can have on a person’s life. I feel confident to say that I am the person I am today because of Chippewa’s influence. The experiences that I had and the bonds that I formed are everlasting. What is so cool is that each summer, I get to see campers on their way to forming these same lifelong friendships…I get to see them building independence and confidence that is best nurtured at camp…and I get to see campers loving and appreciating uniqueness in both themselves and others. The campers, the staff and myself all share a common link that cannot be put into words except to say that we all live ten months a year for the two we get to spend together in the Northwoods.

So thank you again! This summer will go down in the books as an incredible one. Now the countdown begins…we only have to endure ten more months until we are back on Dam Lake, thriving and in our element!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari