Camp Woodland Blog

As Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, we are reminded of a recurring theme that was woven throughout the fabric of the weeks shared together at camp in the Summer of 2021. We heard the same word reverberated among campers, counselors, kitchen staff, leadership, and parents. The word, as you may have guessed, is… “gratitude.”

The summer began with gratitude because we were able to have camp once again. This gratitude continued to grow throughout the weeks because of the plethora of amazing adventures we had and the personal connections we made within our camp community. Finally, this gratitude was affirmed again as we said “see ya soon” to our summer home back in August and reflected on how our camp community had become a camp family.

We always have time away from camp when we all go our separate ways to engage in what others call “real life.” During this part of the year, we go back to school, to jobs, to our families and our friends at home.  And as the old saying goes, absence really can make the heart grow fonder. Time away from camp reminds us of how truly valuable it is in our lives.  It gives us time to reflect on the bigger picture and how camp impacts us in so many ways.  It also helps us to recall the little things we may sometimes have overlooked when we were caught up in the moment living the adventures and the experiences camp provides.

More than ever this past summer there was an awareness among all of us that our time at camp is short, and we were truly grateful to be at Camp Woodland.

Some of the staff shared thoughts about what aspects of camp makes them grateful:

• I’m grateful for the amazing friendships that I have formed through camp, and for all of the opportunities to do my favorite thing – work with kids and have a positive impact on their lives.
• I am grateful for the opportunity to give kids a place and the time to be kids away from school and other pressures. It is amazing to see the growth that occurs when they have near peer role models to guide their journey towards confidence, independence, and resilience.
• Camp Woodland, the place: I am thankful for our home away from home where we can be a camp family each summer.
• Camp Woodland, the people: I am thankful for the generations of girls, counselors and staff who share their spirit and leave filled with joyful discoveries of who they are and how they want to be in the world.
• Camp Woodland, the community: I am thankful for the opportunity we have to live together supporting each other by doing our part, cheering on each effort and lending a hand when things get hard.
• I’m grateful for the fresh air and lack of traffic!! (being surrounded by nature : )
• I’m grateful for the staff and the way they motivate campers to get excited about anything. They make even the smallest things fun!!
• I’m grateful that camp provides our campers with a community of caring counselors and staff. Providing experiential education through fun activities teaches kids the ultimate self-respect. I’m also grateful to see kids leave camp with improved self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem and leadership.
• I’m grateful that camp allows us to slow down and enjoy simple things, like a conversation, a walk in the woods or the breeze off the lake.
• I’m grateful for the opportunity to impact the lives of campers and counselors which, in turn, positively affects the lives of others in the world. I truly believe it is a gift to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth amidst our camp family.
• I am grateful that camp continues on for many generations so that kids continue to experience what others have for many years.
• I am most thankful to be part of a team whose goal is to provide a wholesome and safe experience for kids of varied backgrounds. The adventure of the campers and counselors adjusting to a new community is spectacular!
• I’m grateful to the Jordan family for making camp the special place it is and for all the deep lasting friendships I’ve made at camp over the years.

The gratitude we have for this extremely special place we call camp is a key part of what keeps us connected as a camp family. Camp is also the gift that keeps giving. Each camper, counselor, and staff member takes with us into the world what we experience, what we learn and, in turn, we share these gifts with our families, our friends, our communities and our world. We wanted to take a moment to let you know that we are truly grateful for the opportunity to have your children attend Camp Woodland and Towering Pines and be a part of our camp family.

If you haven’t registered your child for camp, or if you know of someone who might like to join our camp community, you can register online now.