Reunion Reviews

Pictures galore!  We had several self-appointed photographers for the weekend’s events.  Many have sent in their pictures which are now posted on the Alumnae Photo pages, see “Reunion 2008.”  You’ll see pictures of the Alumnae Show, activities, the property, faces and more faces!  Also, there are pictures by decade.  At some point we’ll get all the names up there.

Also note on the same Picasa site the Generations Album.   Any Leelanau/Kohahna families who have had two or more generations at camp are encouraged to send in their camp family tree.  (Actually be in contact with marcia@leelanau-kohahna.org and she’ll send you the information and pages.)

Click on the image to view the full newsletter

Gratitude has been in my thinking quite a bit this autumn on my journey through India with a College Abroad group.  It’s been an incredible experience for me, and it begs me to ask each of us to be more grateful than ever for the supply we have in the United States.  Everyday pictures of poverty, famine and corruption came to us in India.  We were also challenged individually by our workload and the travel.  However, the experience has also made clear the absolute reality of Love’s substance.  Half-way around the world  and hearing a different language and experiencing a different culture, there is a universal language we all understand – both those traveling and at home – the language of love, charity and gratitude.

The clearest demonstration of this fact is felt in acts of charity and selflessness, two qualities we certainly work on during Camp.  Countless times was invited to walk home with someone and eat dinner with their family, with the result that over time I was welcomed by an entire family as an unexpected guest. Countless times I saw my group find incredible joy as a result of talking with beggars and street dwellers. While the communication was difficult, the results were always joyful, fulfilling and surprising. It became clear to me as a result that the only reality – the only true substance – is that of Love, charity and gratitude.

I realize that not all of us can travel thousands of miles in order to understand that what we have at home begs our constant gratitude, but I think about the immense amount of gratitude we witness at the camp during each summer.  Every camper knows how wonderful we feel at camp when we’re surrounded by good friends, supportive counselors, and the little bit of paradise called Pyramid Point. I say this even after traveling around the world and back a few times: we have a special spot in Northern Michigan!  We say this often during the summer sessions at Leelanau, and now it becomes meaningful. Good work is easy to do when you’re surrounded by friends and family, but in challenging situations we need to stay focused on doing our good work.  We left camp three months ago and Thanksgiving is a good time to feel a jump-start – to share what we feel with the world, and doing so begins with gratitude.

Honestly filling our minds with gratitude can be difficult at times, and we’re asked to do it cheerfully!  II Corinthians reminds us to “give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”  How we all love the cheerful giver!  We recognize such an individual when we feel the love in simple acts of charity. We know that we, too, can spread warmth and love. We’ve learned how at camp; and if those with less than us and in worse situations can do it, so can we. Now is a special time of year share our gratitude!

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

Since returning to Pyramid Point in the late 1980’s both camps have shared our main lodge building, “The Great House.” On cold or rainy days when both camps need space for indoor activities, however, the boys and men of Leelanau have not had an adequate gathering place. For years we have cherished the idea of building a lodge for the boys’ camp, similar in spirit to the “Derelict” building at the original Camp Leelanau property on the Crystal River. Leelanau alums have donated funds over the past decade which have enabled us to develop a set of architectural plans. In June of 2009 a site survey was completed, and we are pleased to announce that earth-moving and excavation have begun!

A remarkable fact revealed during the site survey was that the difference in elevation from one end of the Leelanau soccer field to the other was a full eleven feet! With the commencement of excavation for the new lodge building we are also taking this opportunity to level the Leelanau soccer field and increase it to regulation size. This will bless not only our summer camp programs but also our Sports Camp football and soccer programs in the fall.

Click here to see our progress

The new lodge building will be approximately 2,900 square feet with a stone fireplace, in-floor radiant heat, a small kitchenette for evening snacks and a 12’ x 24’ storage room for workout equipment, RCA tables or other uses as needed. Funding has been secured for the first phase of construction, which includes excavation and the foundation for the building, but the Camps still need to raise over $300,000 for the remainder of the project and expansion of the soccer field. Anyone interested in helping please contact our Executive Director, Glenn Johnson at (231) 334-3808.

In accordance with recommendations from the National Park Service the new building will be located on the south side of the road leading to Leelanau–in between the Trips building and the soccer field. Large sliding doors will allow us to open the south side of the building toward the soccer field for games or even drama productions and special events. Leelanau alum and current camp dad, Jim Cooley, is the General Contractor for this project. We are grateful for his building expertise and attention to detail. We’ll be sure to update the project photo gallery along the way! 

I take voice lessons and before a show, I always get a little nervous.  When I do, I think of good things because you are just doing good when you sing and reaching out and sharing your gift.  Being nervous is a belief that God is not in control.  Never be nervous or scared because God is in control!  Always reach out and share your gift.  Reaching out is expressed in many different ways.  An experience that happened to me was when my mother read me this little book before I started kindergarten.  In a picture in the book, there is a scene with some children in a circle holding hands and dancing.  In the corner, there is a little boy left out and a girl leaving the circle to walk over to him.  My mom always told me, “I hope you are always that little girl reaching out to others.”

Reaching out can be expressed in so many ways — whether it is sharing, relying on God, including, and loving everyone around you.  So always reach out and love everyone.

Leelanau parent

Friendships I’ve made at camp are special.  I believe the friends I have at camp are friends I will have forever.

Kohahna camper        

I had an amazing time!  Camp is the first time for many things.  Most of all I really appreciate the loving counselors, they are such humorous men who are so nice and giving to the campers.  I am use to being the only Christian Scientist at my school, and I sometimes feel lonely because of it, but after going back to camp, I now realize I am not alone.

Leelanau camper

Our camper returned home with a heightened sense of responsibility.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Mom, what can I do to help?” over the past three weeks.  She’s always been positive, but now it’s as if she is showing ownership and the ability to see that family is about caring for one another.         

Kohahna parent

What I love most about camp is that while you are having an enormous amount of fun, you are being loved and cared for by the people around you.

Kohahna camper

I love the atmosphere of camp. I love the way everyone worked together to support and help each other.

Leelanau camper

I value the opportunity for my children to try new activities with spiritually minded peers and having fun doing it.

Leelanau and Kohahna parent

Kohahna is one of my favorite places on earth…There are many, many things I love about camp, one of them being the friendships…I love the opportunities I get and how I grow spiritual in every activity that I do.

Kohahna camper

I really enjoyed the protection I experienced at camp, because the atmosphere is at a high spiritual level.  I could see I was protected by God when there was any suggestion of pain or fatigue or any other suggestion of effort, and I was able to press forward and continue having fun because of the atmosphere that surrounded me at camp.

Leelanau camper

Yesterday, instead of reacting to a potential misunderstanding with a friend, my daughter was very quiet.  She told me she had decided to pray about the situation instead of react. “Mom, I really want to be a good Christian Scientist,” she said.  What a wonderful lesson she learned, directly related to her experience at camp!

Parent of a Leelanau and Kohahna camper

I’ve learned to see the good in other people, to put God before me in every situation, to be patient, I also learned how to be a good role model.  Camp has changed my life!

Kohahna camper

My son gained a sense of peace around others, enjoying others’ unique qualities.  He also learned a lot about sailing.

Leelanau parent

I enjoyed the beautiful sunsets, council fire, “football on the dunes” and all of the other evening activities!  At camp I discovered that ‘God meets all our needs’ and I also had a wonderful healing.

Kohahna camper

Those four weeks at camp during the summer are the best four weeks of my life, and this year was no exception!  From having the greatest healings of my life, to making friendships that will last thru the ages, camp is a place that will always be in my heart….A wonderful aspect of Camp Leelanau is the abundance of brotherhood that exists. Your brothers are always there to give you a helping hand, whether it be on the ropes course, or on a square corner in cabin cleanup.

Leelanau camper

My wife was a camper at Kohahna for seven years…Based on her experience, we felt our son would really enjoy going to Camp Leelanau. After picking him up last week, he told us all about his adventures and awards. His counselors said he was a joy to have and never complained.  He wants to return next year as well.  I expected he would have a great time at camp and those expectations were exceeded…He has grown so much as a person, it is impossible not to notice.

Leelanau parent

It is interesting how much more mature and confident they are after their camp experiences. They are both more outgoing with everyone they meet, and their mannerisms convey a confidence in right activity.

Parent of a Leelanau and a Kohahna camper

I enjoyed the beautiful sunsets, council fire, “football on the dunes” and all of the other evening activities!  At camp I discovered that ‘God meets all our needs’ and I also had a wonderful healing.

Kohahna camper

I really felt that this summer experience gave me the perfect push I needed to get going in the right direction.  It taught me leadership and determination that I can bring with me to hockey or school.  I also learned how important it is to start your day off with the lesson, getting those golden nuggets that can help you in times of need during your day.  I feel that camp has recharged my so I’m ready for the year and prepared for the challenges ahead.    

Leelanau camper

We see from the moment our daughter leaves camp, she talks about returning to camp.  We hear about camp year-round from her.  She has always loved camp for the opportunity to step outside her comfort zone and try new things.  We knew she would gain much from attending, but she gained in more ways than we expected.

Our son made the most of his experience…We saw him take a more productive approach to relationships.  Instigating and avoiding confrontation gave way to fostering appreciation for fellow campers.  We saw him move beyond mere academic study of Christian Science to living it moment by moment…Camp is demonstration, plain and simple.

Parent of both Leelanau and Kohahna campers

This summer I feel like I really gained a better understanding of myself, Christian Science, and the K-Qualities.  I also had a lot of fun doing activities, making new friendships, keeping old ones, and spending time with my cabin…I really liked doing pinecone pals because it gives you the chance to both give and receive extra love all week long, and it really taught me about the power of giving. My activities, and the whole summer in general, taught me a lot of lessons and I feel like I really grew a lot.

Kohahna camper

From our young son we see the enthusiasm and love of camp developing, an eagerness to try new things and to follow the example of counselors and the older campers.  With our older son we see the evidence of the many years of camp taking form in a desire to now BE the leader that he has loved in so many of the young men that have gone before him.  This year’s camp experience was so transforming that he will carry it with him for the rest of his life.  He cam home not as a boy but as a man. He shows a determination to be a leader, in school, church and on the ice.

Parent of two Leelanau campers

I loved playing card games with my counselors and cabin mates and sitting around the council fire. I hope to be a counselor when I get bigger.  Now that I’m home I’ve been making my bed and keeping my room clean.  Before I go to bed at night I also think about what I’m grateful for and something nice that I’ve done for someone else that day.

Leelanau camper

…I went on the high ropes course for my cabin day.  At first I was excited.  But when I got up there I got scared.  I told myself God was Love.  Since He created everything, nothing could harm me (like the ropes course).  As I got closer to the end, I got less scared.  Afterwards, I realized it was actually fun and a good experience…I worked hard at earning the K-qualities again because they are good qualities to express every day.  I loved camp and I’m so glad I got to go!

Kohahna camper

I value the growth in character my son achieves each year. So important!! And of course learning to rely on God for all needs.  The counselors were “the best”! Food terrific! My son loves camp with all his heart.  Every year he learns more about the real man he is becoming – strong, courageous, thoughtful, unselfish – every mother’s dream!  All qualities the world needs!!

Parent of a Leelanau camper

I have learned a lot from being at camp and I want to continue being a Leelanau man when I am at home.

Leelanau camper

I value most the strong support given to my son while he is at camp.  He grows so much with all the love and encouragement given at Camp Leelanau.  I asked him if there was anything he would change about camp.  He said no – but maybe it should be longer!

Leelanau parent

I fell off a horse, but I got right back on with NO fear whatsoever!…I love riding at camp because when you are at peace with yourself a horse will follow your commands.  And then you become at one with your horse.

Kohahna camper

I am so excited that our sons have someone else guiding them along the same issues that we are during the year. The constructive help and guidance is probably better received from the counselors than us.  The camper reports reassure us of all the character building, mentally, emotionally and spiritually going on at camp! Our sons could not be at a better place during the summer with great counselors and mentors!

Parent of two Leelanau campers

Camp is always so much fun, and I had great healings.  I enjoyed the trips and all the exciting activities.  My favorite was drama and silversmithing.  I was in the talent show with my friends.  

Kohahna camper

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Jesus said this to his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount.

I think that expressing love is a way of letting your light shine. Just a little bit of love can really brighten someone’s day. One morning, this year, I got to school, and I was already having a really bad day. I felt like everything possible had gone wrong that morning. Almost as soon as I walked in the doors to school, one of my friends came up to me with a smile and gave me a hug. This turned my attitude around, and I ended up having a good day.

Here, at Kohahna, love is everywhere. Last year was my first year, and the main thing I noticed the first week was the love. Everybody was so caring and supportive. It inspired me to try to share the love I felt at camp with everyone at home. I made more friends and had more fun.

Letting your light shine is also about having the self-confidence to share what you can do with everyone. For some people, that’s a talent, for others, it’s a sport, and some like drawing and painting, some people are good at stopping fights, the list goes on and on. But, it’s more important to have the confidence to share what makes you an individual.

So we should let the qualities of God shine brightly through us!!

The rest of the week seemed to accelerate through the final days of activities until campers prepared to welcome their parents for Encore Weekend.  On Thursday afternoon, many Leelanau and Kohahna campers combined efforts to present a lively Talent Show as the summer’s production.  Acts ranged from gymnastics stunts and juggling to dramatic monologues, musical theater pieces, and solo dances.  It was a treat to see the wide spectrum of talent that campers shared!

Friday night’s final Council Fire honored the many campers that have passed their Expert level in activities, as well as turned our thought to gratitude during our pine bough ceremony.  As the campers walked down the hill with candles in hand, the warm feeling of sisterhood united the whole line.  The following evening at Final Banquet, we enjoyed a heart-warming slideshow from the session, listened to several thought-provoking speeches, congratulated many award recipients, and celebrated the success of the Pine Team for the summer.  Of course, we concluded the evening and the summer by passing a squeeze around our friendship circle.

We are very grateful for the harmony and joy of this summer.  Every camper who came to camp contributed to its success, and naturally they benefited from being here.  Below, we’ve taken excerpts from their Camp Evaluations:

Highlights of camp:

Hymn sing/Wednesday church

Backwards Day

Cookout

County Fair

The general feel of being here

The little things

Breakfast/all of the food

Everything I did with my cabin

The Challenge trip

Sunset sails

Horseback riding overnight

Getting up on water-skis for the first time

Musical theater week

Ropes Course

The climbing trip

Pictured Rocks trip

Waterslide

Healings

What did you learn at camp?

How to manage time

How to lash

How to water ski

How to spiritually conquer grief

How to spiritually express womanhood

To always be prepared to compromise

How to sail, kayak, and windsurf

How to continue to grow spiritual during the year

How to interpret teaching of the Bible and Christian Science better

How to be a leader

How to have self-confidence

That instantaneous healings exist

Patience

To push myself

Individuality

Self-worth

How to build a fire

How to apply and use Christian Science at school

How to weave a basket

How to express the K-Qualities

Table manners

How to pack a backpack for trips

How to solder in silversmithing

How to pray

How to mark my books

How to lash structures in the woods

How to use a sewing machine and make a skirt

The importance of praying for the world

Responsibility

To put your napkin on your lap

To put others before yourself

Hard work

All about animals and their skulls

How to rock climb and belay

Sometimes you have to flexible enough for changes

How to push myself more than anyone else could push me

How to do a wet exit in kayaking

How to lead a better lifestyle through Christian Science

So let me tell you about all our festivities during the seventh week. On Thursday night, we had our traditional funny awards fire and it was filled with laughter, smiles, and wooden plaques commemorating the awesome summer we all had this year. Then, on Friday night, we dressed in our best whites, marched down to the Great House, and had our final inspection on the Great Lawn.  Jimmy Ray, the South Team captain, performed an advanced calculus problem and Henry Ryan, the North Team captain, ran down to the girl’s basketball hoops and dunked a basketball for the crowd as their special talents. Later that night, we had a fantastic beef roast prepared by our phenomenal executive chef, Josh Miller; which of course included Mamma’s Spatch for dessert.  Just in case you hadn’t heard, the North team found the year painted on their plaque, so congratulations to the North Team.  Our last main event of the summer was final council fire on Saturday night; during which, the last activity achievements were recognized, the Early Birds played Dizzy Sticks, and the pioneers played Buck-Buck 2.0.

When the last campers left on Sunday, we started cleaning the cabins for the football camp and reflecting on the summer’s accomplishments.  There were countless moments of growth among the campers, both spiritual growth and character growth.  We saw healings of home sickness, poison ivy, fatigue, injury, stress, and overcoming fears.  During the last few days of camp, the counselors worked feverishly to drive home the lessons the campers learned during the summer’s quiet times.  Lessons such as pulling the weeds from your garden of thought, the importance of doing your daily work, and listening to God’s direction. 

So enjoy the year you get to spend with your son(s) and please help them to remember all that they have learned this summer, how to do a square corner, and to stay in contact with their cabin mates and counselors during the year.  I look forward to seeing everyone in 2010 on opening day.