“The divine Mind maintains all identities, from a blade of grass to a star, as distinct and eternal.” SH 70:12

I realized something this spring that blew my mind: Kohahna is incredible! Don’t get me wrong…I’ve known for a long time now that Kohahna has been one of the best parts of my life. But this spring I attended a conference that brings together staff members from camps of all kinds, and my concept of Kohahna truly came to life against the backdrop of summer camps in general. I spent a few days attending seminars and classes, covering topics from new camp songs to camp activities that let girls be girls. Instead of thinking about camp in terms of being a community and family of lifelong friends, I spent a few days thinking of camp more impersonally, as a “program” where children come for a specific goal. It was funny, though, to experience my thought returning again and again to my concept of camp as family. All camps have a mission, and every camp fills its own niche. This diversity enables camps to appeal to different kinds of campers, the way that every individual person has a significant niche to fill. I saw that because Kohahna has God at the center of its mission, design, and program, of course those of us who come to camp feel like family with each other. In all, what became so clear in my thought at this conference was the distinct and eternal identity of Kohahna that is certainly being maintained by Mind. It is so cool to serve at a camp that has God at the center of its entire design! Kohahna certainly fills a niche as a unique, divine idea of a summer camp.

Last summer’s theme of Women of Substance laid a solid foundation for thinking about each person’s individuality as a reflection of God. So often the world thought clumps entire groups of people together with generalizations. For example, saying that all girls are one way or all Christian Scientists act in a certain way, is obviously not accurate. Although people with commonalities are likely to find that they align in many ways, it’s hardly accurate to strip each person of their individuality. Having a deeper understanding of womanhood and the qualities that are at the core of confidence in one’s individuality actively resists the world’s tendency to “clump.” Every camper and counselor who comes to Kohahna fills a distinct niche. Camp is an opportunity to highlight each person’s unique qualities, celebrate her individuality, and reinforce a sense of confidence in being herself.

This summer, we’re continuing to delve into the underlying qualities of true individuality as the reflection of God through the theme “A Gracious Heart.” Exploring the quality of grace reveals the “how to” element of living one’s true identity.