This year, many thousands of children, teens and young adults will get into a car, van or bus—or walk through their neighborhood—pass a “Welcome to Camp” sign and have an experience they will never forget. I remember being one of them. When we made the turn off of US-10, there was a palpable excitement in our van.
I had the same feeling most mornings driving to camp during my first year or so on staff here, too. But how quickly amazing can become ordinary, and the little things that once inspired us and brought awe to our faces can be missed.
Earlier this week we picked up 7-year-old Abby for five days of respite care (I’ve changed her name here for her privacy). Abby has only been in foster care a short time, but as with many kids who are taken away from their parents, schools, neighborhoods and friends… she has been forced to grow up quick.
So, yesterday, as is our ordinary routine, my wife loaded up our kids and came up to camp for a couple of hours of horseback riding lessons—we leased and kept horses with our camp’s herd. Abby got to see and pet the animals in the petting farm. She got to interact with some of our fine summer staff. She even got a short riding lesson from my wife.
“I got to sit on a horse, and hold the reins, and I learned how to make her go and how to make her stop and all you do is squeeze your legs a little or pull back on the reigns and I can steer her right or left, do you want me to tell you how to steer a horse?” she was so excited telling me everything that I think she forgot to breathe.
We walked into the dining hall for lunch and she was mesmerized by the choices. “We get to eat here?” she asked. “Every day?” She danced a little to the music playing through the loudspeakers while she fixed her plate, choose between grape juice and lemonade and found a seat at our table.
A few minutes later, while Abby was on seconds, one of the kitchen crew brought to our table a dessert. “What is it?” she asked. My wife, Amanda, described it: vanilla pudding with vanilla wafers and banana slices… and whipped cream on top.
And then she said the words that reminded me of what a magical place camp is, and how important it is to create space for kids—all kinds of kids—to just be kids. Abby grinned from ear to ear and said, “This place is amazing.” And you know what? She was right.
For information on becoming a foster parent or providing respite care, go to www.ericdwoods.com/foster.
Also, check out my review of CAMP, the film that has inspired many with it’s portrayal of the power of camp to help transform the lives of kids in foster care. It’s coming soon to DVD.
