Category: Imagine This in ’26

Both of our dogs were rescued. The younger of the two, Gumbo, came to us when he was about seven months old. When my husband went to the shelter to find a buddy for Gus, he couldn’t help but notice the little dog with a big personality. His name was quickly changed from Tyler to Gumbo to better match the incredible amount of energy and compassion bundled into this 45-pound canine. He is one of the snuggliest, most loving (and yes, occasionally mischievous) four-legged friends I know.

Because we didn’t know Gumbo’s exact birthday, we worked backward from his “gotcha day,” which put his arrival into the world sometime in mid-February. It took me about two seconds to land on Valentine’s Day as the date I’d use on all his official paperwork from that point forward. February 14 felt right—not because it was precise, but because it fit. Valentine’s Day isn’t about perfection or grand gestures; it’s about naming the things that already have our hearts.

Even though February is the shortest month, it’s the time of year we pause to recognize the people, places, and experiences we love most. This idea stretches beyond cards and candy—and even beyond one very lovable dog. One of the things that shows up with a heart attached, every single time, is camp. Camps across the country recognize how they are loved by campers, staff, families, and alumni with “I Heart Camp” Day, a moment to reflect on what makes camp special. Not with chocolate or flowers, but with photos. LOTS of them. You will be sent information about this very soon so you are ready for February 1st!

I heart camp.

There are many things I love about Camp Woodland. The CIT singers who come around every night to send us into sweet dreams is one of my favorites. I also love taco bar, being at the waterfront, fires in the lodge on a chilly morning, hearing the loons call to one another, chocolate peanut butter ice cream at Cathy’s, and so much more. Just writing this list makes me super excited for the upcoming summer!

I also keep coming back to three pretty simple words when I think about this place.

Kids heart camp.

I could write (and have written) blogs about youth development. Social-emotional stuff. Why screen-free summers rock. Camp being a much needed haven. A third place for many. The importance of autonomy, competence, and belonging. All part of why we do what we do.

But underneath every framework and philosophy is this basic fact that you probably already know:

Kids love camp.

Not “kids benefit from camp” or “camp is good for kids.” Like talk-about-it-all-year LOVE it.

Where else does this happen?

Think about all the places kids spend time. School. Sports practice. Tutoring. The dentist. Nana’s house. Birthday parties. The back seat of your car going to all of the above. Some of those are great. Some of those are fine. Some are tolerated. Some are endured because someone says so. How many of them does a kid actually love?

Like, genuinely love. Ask-about-it-months-later love. Count-down-the-days love.

Kids love home. Obviously. But where else? And yes, I definitely have a bias here. 100%. The evidence is everywhere. The Coed Show song list that is sung in the car/bus on the long drive home. Stories that surface at dinner in October. Countdowns that start in January (camp is THIS year!). The way campers put their phones down when they visit each other around the globe.

Confession: I spend a lot of time thinking about camp and how to explain camp to people who have never been to camp.

We heart camp.

And the CWTP team also spends tons and tons of hours thinking about every little detail of camp. Don’t believe me? Ask Calla about the programming activities and special events for “Imagine This in ‘2-6”, or Jackie about hiring the absolute best staff, or Lee’s leveled-up parent communication this summer, or JoAnne getting the many pieces in place for 6 weeks of fun in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

Those hours matter. The thought, time, and care matter. But sometimes in trying to explain camp, it sounds more complicated than it is. It’s actually super simple. Camp has the just-right mix of stuff (this is a technical camp term) that makes kids (and staff) want to come back year after year.

Friendships, activities, attention, time, care, sports, arts, laughter, nature, songs, mentors. And underneath all of that is the simplest thing of all.

Kids especially heart camp.

Staff heart camp.

We all heart camp.

Happy “I Heart Camp” Day (week, month, and YEAR)!

Inspiration: KE newsletter/blog