A Few (Just a Few) of My Favorite Things...
Someone asked recently what a few of my favorite things about Camp Mishawaka are. I’ve never been much of a fan of raindrops on roses (I have a brown thumb) or whiskers on kittens ( I guess I am a dog person), but not unlike Rodgers and Hammerstein, I had a hard time knowing where to start, or even where to stop. Apparently even they struggled deciding on their favorites, as one of the draft lyrics for their iconic Sound of Music song was, “Riding downhill on my big brother’s bike.” Doesn’t really resonate, does it?
My list of favorites surely varies, depending on when you asked me, or what the context is. And surely they have changed over the years. These are the ones that struck me as I watched staff and campers, and led activities this summer.
Five things at Camp Mishawaka that resonate for me:
There is always something new to do…and campers get to choose. In the menu of camp activity options there are some that I describe as “protien”- cumulative skill activities (sailing, canoeing,tennis, archery) that follow a progression towards mastery. Then, there is an extensive desert menu of options, as well- activities that are for the moment (tubing, creative camp games and structured down time. It’s a balanced offering of more than 30 different land and water activities.
Never tried it? You can try it here. So often, even at a young age, kids get slotted into a “type.” He’s a soccer player, she’s a volleyball player, or even worse kids can get the message that they are not good at something well before they have grown into their own shoes! Each summer I see kids that have never sailed, never paddled a canoe, never created a work of art, or stood on a stage in front of their peers find a new passion or interest. Many of these lie outside the identity they have at home, but compliment it, broaden and deepen a sense of self.
People notice.. Our staff are trained (and reminded) to take note, to notice the little things and pay attention to the experience of each camper. But even more remarkable is that the kids notice too! The culture of curiosity and caring that gets built each summer comes from the top, but it gets curated and protected by the kids. When someone is having an “off” day, it gets noticed. When someone is in an activity that’s not their thing, it gets noticed and fixed.
Two camps, one great tradition…Camp Mishawaka for Girls and Camp Mishawaka for Boys share a facility yet maintain two distinct programs and set of traditions. This stems from the founding of each. We share the dining hall and much of the campus and also come together regularly for co-ed activities, yet each Camp is positioned to meet the unique needs of the campers. It offers the best of both single gender and co-ed camps. Each summer I see siblings grow closer, friendships form naturally and campers celebrate all this arrangement can provide for.
You’re from where? Last summer we had campers from 28 states and 8 different countries, and that’s been more or less the average for as long as I can remember. The world shrinks at Camp Mishawaka and campers are as likely to develop a connection with some from halfway across the globe as they are someone from their same state. Maybe it’s minor, but each summer I delight in seeing a camper’s reaction to a staff member from the UK refer to their flashlight as a torch! Or someone from Wisconsin asking where the “bubbler” is (it’s a drinking fountain.) As campers discover these differences, they build on their commonality with those from near and far.
That’s today’s five. Ask me tomorrow and you might get a different list but I venture to guess they would center around much of what I offer above. What I think they have in common is that they all recognize, accept and celebrate kids for where they are in the process of becoming. Rather than make them feel “behind” or lagging in their journey towards becoming an adult, Mishawaka lets kids inhabit childhood, with all its mess. I think it also allows them to create and curate a list of their own favorite things!
As I said, these are just a few of mine. The ones I simply remember, when the dog bites, or the bee stings, I remember and then I don’t feel so bad!
