Goodbye Camp ABC

Korrin B.

August 20, 2009 - 7:00 PM

Today was the last day of camp. And by the last day of camp, I do mean the end, a.k.a. it's over. Done. Today when I boarded the bus at the Fresh Air Fund's Sharpe Reservation in the great town of Fishkill, New York, it was the last time. I wouldn't be coming back.

I waited and waited for this moment to come. This summer has been absolutely incredible and I have cherished every moment I have spent at camp. I have rejoiced in the smiles of over 900 children, knowing that I've done something positive for them this summer. I've cherished every talent show where I've heard Rihanna's latest songs sang forty times in a row and have watched nine-year-olds shake it to hip hop music I've never even heard before. I embraced the overnight hikes, the ones where I would return covered in mosquito bites, no matter how much bug spray I put on. Deep down, I really did love camp. I loved everyone I met there (even when I didn't). I loved the place (even when I felt cut off from the entire world). I loved camp and I couldn't have been happier that I made the decision to go and work there this summer. However, I was ready to leave. I had waited for this moment to come and when I saw the bus that was going to take me home (or to NYC, at least) I was ecstatic.

The last few days of camp were packed with doing inventory for my art supplies, cleaning the art building, getting the kids packed and cleaned, packing myself, and trying to hug everyone I could while I still had the time. By the time our final banquet dinner came fourth session, many of us were so tired from the end of the summer tasks that we didn't even really dress up for this one. I wore the t-shirt I had made at camp, some jeans, and some white heels and white earrings (to give the appearance as if I dressed up).

Banquet night was also my 21st birthday. How many people can say that they spent their 21st birthday surrounded by nine-year-olds, off in the wilderness, wearing a pink crown made out of foam and black Sharpie? It was pretty special hearing 300 people sing me happy birthday at dinner. This banquet night was special in general though. The energy was real. Session three banquet has a vibe in the air of, "Yeah, we've done this twice already, can we just get on with the show, please?" Session four was, "I don't even care about table manners! I'm going to get out of my seat and dance and hug people and take pictures and sing and shout because I love everyone and it's almost over!" It was so much fun.

The next morning (today) we had to drag our suitcases up to the road and wait until it was our turn to board the bus. I was smiling like crazy. I couldn't wait to just get out of there. It wasn't until I had actually boarded the bus, actually hugged some people goodbye for the last time, and turned to look out the window as our bus slowly pulled out of the campgrounds that I became reflective.

I thought about who I was when I got to camp and who I was leaving as. I felt stronger, more confident. I remembered so many priceless moments from the summer, all the adventures, all the amazing people. I looked at the stillness of the lake, no longer alive with splashing children. I could feel my eyes start to water up, as people still passed notes and phone numbers to each other throughout the bus. But as my eyes began to water, there was also a smile on my face. I had changed lives this summer, and one of them had been my own.

Now I sit in my New York City hotel on the lower east side and await the next episode.