08/22/2026
Yesterday was our last day of summer camp here on the farm.
One of the things that marks the end of our summer is the final performance created by our Drama/Farm campers in collaboration with our absolutely awesome staff. This session’s play took place in outer space, and stars became an important decorative element.
About an hour before our audience was about to arrive, I remembered this little star pin.
It had been tucked away in an old box of collectables from my childhood. My own camp counsellor gave it to me in 1993. I had completely forgotten about it until yesterday—over 30 years later, when I suddenly realized that this tiny star had become an emblem of sorts for me.
A reminder that the small moments of summer camp can mean so much.
Yes, children learn skills at camp. They are exposed to new ideas, new activities, new challenges and new ways of seeing the world.
But in the end, I think the bigger questions are:
Did they leave feeling better about themselves?
Did they have positive experiences with caring adults?
Did they feel like they belonged?
Did they feel that they were part of something special?
A week or two of summer camp can start the trajectory toward a richer life.
Positive energy.
An understanding of community and collaboration.
The confidence to try something new.
The experience of being seen and valued.
And, hopefully, a little more kindness that carries forward long after camp is over.
That little star reminded me yesterday that these experiences can stay with us for a very, very long time.
I know that I do what I do today, in large part, because of how summer camp made me feel when I was a child.
Thirty-three years ago, a camp counsellor gave me a tiny star.
Yesterday, I wore it while watching a new generation of campers take the stage.
And suddenly, the circle felt complete. ⭐️
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