On this first week of school I find myself sitting in front of my computer dreaming about being outside. I love school, teaching, being the art teacher at CDS. My job doesn't feel like a job and I never dread going to "work".  But what I really love is camp! Camp Timanous. I love being part of a greater community that nurtures and watches out for itself. It is home in the summer, the tall pine trees, the old dusty cabins, the cold clear lake, and the people. The people are friendly, cheerful, positive, and real. My family has been at this camp off and on since 1928. When I arrive back at camp in June, Mallards cabin is the same, the friendships start right where they left off in the previous summer or summers. Timeless. All friendships pick up where they left off.  I've made some of my best friends in life at camp and friendships are ageless. People I probably wouldn't have ever meet otherwise. Campers, older counselors, young counselors, staff, and directors!
     Every summer something new and amazing will take place at camp. A bird nest on the eaves of Mallards cabin just outside from the campers bunks. Loons calling out at night below a full moon glittering on the lake. The stars! A Bear! A Moose! A camper works through his homesickness. A counselor finds his voice and his creativity in front of camp during announcements.  An eagle flies over instructional swim. The newest "I think I heard a  fisher cat" story. New skits and a movie project. New Head Counselors, New Chapels. New friendships!
     Every summer the beginning of camp is full of energy and possibilities, the middle is of achievements and the end comes too quickly. The last day of camp is awkward, sad, and full of too many emotions that your body goes into shock. It remains the same in many ways each summer giving structure to each year but not definition. The morning walk, the coffee with the old timers, dips, and the flag raising ritual. The Barn is full of excitement, fun, traditions, and crazy counselor announcements. The stories, the history and the legends.
     At camp there is always something going on that is fun. It is fun because the counselors make it fun because they are having fun! Twilight League, Free Swim buddy themes, birthday speeches, baseball scores, "WEST COAST", capture the flag, cookouts, camping trips, grand daddy gorilla hunt, horse races, movie night, thunder storms, counselor stories, and the list goes on! It is all fun! I love the fun! there is so much fun to be had at camp. It is easy, if you are fun the fun will happen. I never drive to work, I walk everywhere except when I'm on the golf cart. A simple walk down the path will get you there. Just follow the pine needle road to "somewhere over the rainbow" and you'll be at Camp Timanous. Where what is most important are body, mind and spirit. My summer home.
     If school could be like camp this world would be full of more generous, considerate, confident, cheerful, and happy people. We all want to belong or be part of a great community. Camp Timanous is a great community.
    How do we turn our school, CDS into a great community? The answer is, the potential is already there! It takes the people in the community to recognize the specialness and the special talents within and take the lead role. The journey begins this week. Im ready! Let the fun begin!!!