Patrick McGinn, age 15
Cabin: Cherokee
Counselor: Mike Holland

Kayaking Pictured Rocks was an absolutely amazing experience. The sheer beauty alone is enough to make me want to return multiple times. Over a period of four days, six of us kayaked just over twenty miles along the Upper Peninsula’s Lake Superior coast. The water was very calm for the first two days, but rather large waves on the last two days provided a little more of a challenge. Once we got to the main cliffs, we all had a lot of fun kayaking into small caves and discovering interesting rocks. We also kayaked through portals and a waterfall.

With the beautiful scenery came great bonding. We had lots of laughs sitting around bonfires, especially on the last night when we played a game of charades. It was a trip none of us will soon forget.

Elizabeth Gray, age 9
Cabin: Gull’s Nest
Counselor: Lydia Sinkus

Fun at Kohahna.

Early in the morning when the sun rises, chipmunks scatter and birds twitter. That is the start of a beautiful day at Kohahna. You are always sad when it ends. Every night you look forward to the next day.

Yes, I love Kohahna, and I will love Kohahna forever.

Andy Fine, age 14
Cabin: Iroquois
Counselors: Fred Morrison, Ben Mason

Just like every trip that Camp Leelanau has to offer, Pictured Rocks is absolutely extraordinary. The location of the thirty mile hiking trail is about a six-hour drive east of camp, along the Lake Superior edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The hiking trail is along the coast, about 50 feet above the lake, which gives an extravagant view at all times. The best part of the entire trip is the scenery. It would be nice just to get one glimpse of the amazing views of pictured rocks that extend for a couple miles, but you get to witness its intense beauty for hours. Even though the hike can be brutal, every second of walking is paradise. The entire trip takes about 4 days, with 10-mile days.

The scenery at the Pictured Rocks consists of rock formations and colorful cliffs. At different points on the trail, you can see for miles along the Lake Superior coastline. This trip really makes you have a new perspective of nature and God’s perfect, beautiful world. The four days of the trip were by far the greatest days of my life.

Sarah NcNaughton, age 13
Cabin: Sandpiper
Counselor: Liz McLane

Kindness
Optimism
Healing
Adventure
Honesty
Nifty
Awesome view

Ben Hawkins, age 14
Cabin: Shoshonis
Counselors: Andrew Rathburg and Chris Moyer

One of the best traditions of Leelanau is the passing of the Silver L. At the beginning of the week, HQ, a cabin made of 3 senior counselors (this year, Mark, Paul and Huffy) chooses a camper who displays good qualities and passes the Silver L to him. That camper then begins looking for the good in others, and passes it along to another camper. This passing continues until the end of the week when the last camper to receive the Silver L gives it to HQ for the next week.

This tradition is very important because it helps our training as Christian Scientists by having us constantly look for the good in others. One of the most beautiful parts of the Silver L is that it’s a secret award until it is announced at Council Fire. This aspect of the Silver L teaches us humility, while letting the recipients be recognized. This also encourages campers to be kind and loving to others so that they can get the Silver L and share in this great tradition. We need to keep this tradition alive to keep our metaphysical eyes sharp.

Emily Wallingford, age 13
Cabin: Windward

I sit comfortably in this place
Surrounded by God’s love and grace
The scene is so lovely; I feel embraced
By God’s creation’s perfection
Listening to hear sweet nature’s call
I favor this place above all.