In 1988 Robert Fulghum wrote All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. This book remained on the New York Times Best Seller List for all of 1989 and most of 1990, the second longest run in the list’s history. Because of the book’s success, there was an assortment of merchandise created around its themes. The one I remember growing up was the t-shirt with a list of things one learns in kindergarten that can be applied to the rest of life such as “Share everything. Play fair. Clean up your own mess.”
The list continues, but as my childhood included an annual trip to camp, I grew to like the idea that “everything I need to know I learned at camp.” From friendships and relationships to God and Christian Science, many of life’s lessons were learned at camp.
As one of the few campers without goggles, I remember learning how to swim with my eyes closed. I had a hard time with this one. I tried to swim straight, but by the time I stood up and looked around, I had swum in a giant J and was facing the opposite direction. I looked around to my fellow campers who were all trying to suppress their laughter, and I was rather embarrassed. Lesson learned: be prepared.
I remember meeting my best friends at camp, and now some of them are married with children, which is still a little strange for me. I remember one summer in middle school where I climbed up on top of one of the cabin roofs to talk to a close friend of mine. Our counselors couldn’t get him to come down as he had recently received some bad news. I sat for a long time before he shared what was bothering him. Lesson learned: go out of your way to be a good listener.
Once I became a counselor, I remember figuring out how powerful right thinking was. On one particular afternoon, I was belaying the hard side of the climbing wall. Our morning session had been a bit slow, and we ended up rushing, finishing late. When I first glanced at the afternoon group that had chosen to try the more challenging side, I was apprehensive about their abilities and their chances of having a quality experience in the allotted time. I quickly rejected this thought as it had not come from God and instead expected each of them to experience an abundance of qualities like freedom, joy, and strength. One move at a time. Without limits and with lots of encouragement, each participant made it to the top. I was shocked at the difference changing my thought had made on the outcome of the activity. Lesson learned: your thoughts determine your experience.
And finally, I remember seeing firsthand how one’s daily spiritual preparation pays huge dividends when you least expect it. Each morning, I dutifully woke up early to study the daily Bible lesson seeking out understanding and inspiration. When, towards the end of the summer, there seemed to be an emergency out on the flag trip, my prayers were inspired and spontaneous. The healing power of the Christ worked quickly and effectively. Would I have traded any one of those morning study sessions for an extra half hour of sleep? Not a chance. Lesson learned: pray daily and know that inspiration is unlimited and abundant.
What lessons have you learned at camp? What beliefs, principles, or truths have you gained from coming to camp that stay with you during the rest of the year? I encourage each of you—campers, counselors, and alumni—to take a few moments and write down a lesson that you have learned at camp. Send your responses to camp, and we’ll post them on our website. Yes, we can look forward to camp, but let us not forget to live the lessons we have learned each and everyday. The world needs your example, your excellence.
(We look forward to hearing from you. Please send responses to
office@leelanau-kohahna.org or steve@leelanau-kohahna.org.)
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I totally agree with the phrase, “Everything I Know I Learned at Camp”. Camp has taught me some of the most important lessons of my life, in addition to many practical activities and concepts. Camp, in conjunction with my family, shaped me into the man I am today.
Now, when I say “camp,” I am summarizing the great friends I have made, the counselors I look up to, and the activities and skills I have learned at Leelanau. The word “camp” encompasses every good thing about that special place.
In terms of practical application of activities and concepts, camp is a great instructor. I learned to shave at the age of 13 from one of my counselors that summer. I became a very proficient canoer because of camp. Through the many opportunities to perform and develop my talents, camp helped me to discover and establish my acting abilities. I am now pursuing a career as a professional actor. Camp also allowed me the opportunity to cook on the trail and develop those skills. I am now actively honing my skills in baking and pastry. Camp also taught me to love the trail and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. I am now sharing this love and appreciation with the next generation.
When I first started coming to camp, I was 10. Camp was a huge change from the lackadaisical summers that I was used to. I thought, initially, that by going to camp I would miss out on so many things during the summer. Throughout that first summer I went backpacking, rock climbing, played Dune Apocalypse, and discovered the delicious bliss that is “Mama Spatch.” It wasn’t until I went to camp that I realized just how many things I had been missing out on in life by not going. Lesson learned: Stepping outside of your comfort zone is the only way to experience all that life has to offer.
My CT summer came along many years later. I gained so much insight as a CT about making the right choices and how to live my life. We went on many long, hot runs that summer and, for the most part, I did not enjoy those runs especially when we had to run back and get the slowest guy. Immediately following camp, I attended my high school varsity training camp. On our first run, I finished in the top three and instinctively turned around and ran back two miles to run with a freshman who had the belief of asthma. Eventually we crossed the finish line together. My coach called us all together and listed off the qualities that make a great leader, namely, to look out for everyone on your team. He then made me a team captain. Lesson learned: As a leader, you look out for everyone on your team.
The following summer, as a first year counselor, I discovered my ability to be a healer. Every day at camp you see the application of fundamental Christian Science, which is the understanding of the nothingness of error. Healing occurs all day, every day. I studied the Bible and Science and Health daily that summer and this study heightened my understanding of healing. At the end of the summer, I healed a camper of poison ivy, and a revelation hit me. Lesson learned: Christian Science does work—use it!
I give thanks every day for the “little slice of heaven” that camp is to all of us. I would not be the man I am today without camp. The growth in character and Christian Science that one experiences at camp IS “second to none, sir!”
The Burg
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 8:21 am and is filed under "Creighton's Connections", "Leelanau Staff Articles" and "Year Round Staff Articles".
