Summer Camp - My son's "happy place"
I spent my summers at Camp Foster YMCA on Spirit Lake as a child. Each summer from the time I was seven to fourteen years old, my time in Okoboji was precious. I waited all year for my week in the sun. I made new friends, reconnected with old friends from past summers, breathed fresh air, and learned new skills. I survived without tv, junk food, or air conditioning and I loved every minute of it. I loved it so much, I returned to Camp Foster as a cabin counselor during college.
When my 15-year-old son, Kellan, was 11, I suggested he attend Camp Foster. I hoped he would love it as much as I did. As a child, Kellan was always willing to try new things and go to new places, even without me. The year before, he was brave enough to take his first airplane ride to Seattle with his grandma the summer after fourth grade. He was away from home for ten days as he and his Grandma Ann explored Alaska aboard a train and cruise ship.
Kellan agreed to go to Camp Foster for one week and had a fantastic time. I saw pictures of him with a big smile on social media with his cabin mates. When I picked him up, he asked to have a picture taken with his counselor from Australia. He proudly showed me an award he received called the “Golden Bullet” at the rifle range for his sharp-shooting skills.
The next year, I signed him up for another week of camp in Okoboji, along with a water sports specialty camp. Unfortunately, Covid-19 hit and summer camp was canceled.
Last year, I asked Kellan if he would be interested in Des Moines Y-Camp near Boone, located along the Des Moines River. I had heard good things about this camp from a fellow teacher, Kate Rodriguez. Her sons attended camp there and one went on to be a counselor. Kellan agreed to try a new camp. When I dropped him off, he was pleasantly surprised to see his cabin not only had air conditioning but also bathrooms with showers.
When his weeklong stay was over, I picked him up from his cabin and he showed me his “Social Butterfly” award given to him by his counselors. He asked me right away if he could return to camp in a couple of weeks as a VIP (Volunteer in Progress). He explained “VIP-ing” meant he would wash dishes and take care of the dining hall and I would pay for room and board. I asked if he was willing to give up his last two weeks of summer plus miss going to the Iowa State Fair. He immediately answered, “Yes.” It can be difficult to get Kellan to put away his clothes, so I was surprised to hear he wanted to wash dishes for free.
After the two weeks were up, Kellan said washing dishes “wasn’t bad.” He thoroughly enjoyed being around other kids his age while still getting to be part of camp as one of the older kids. He was sad to leave the friends he made but was glad to have spent two extra weeks at what he called his “happy place.”
This year, Kellan decided he wanted to apply to be both a VIP and LA (Leader’s Assistant). His application essay and reference letters were accepted, and he spent one week washing dishes and another week assisting camp counselors with activities like arts and crafts, riflery, etc. He will return later in the summer for two more weeks.
I’m always in awe of Kellan’s ability to go into new situations with such a positive attitude. He is likable, friendly, and helpful. Last summer as we were leaving, campers and staff shouted, “Bye, Dora!” to Kellan. I asked why he was called Dora. He explained it was because his haircut resembled Dora the Explorer. Last week when I picked him up, people kept saying, “Bye, Jorge!” He told me it was because they thought he looked like a boy with curly hair and glasses on a tv show called Bunk’d.
On the drive home, Kellan sang many of the camp songs he learned and even asked me to join in on a few parts. It’s amazing how some of the same camp songs I sang 40 years ago are still being sung today.
Since coming home, Kellan has shared with me the parts of camp that resonate with him. Des Moines Y-Camp’s motto is P.M.A. which stands for Positive Mental Attitude. On the last day of camp, all the campers march to a stage in front of their parents reciting a chant over and over that includes their motto.
During the week, campers and staff participate in evening programs that bring meaning to their camp experience. One evening campers are bussed to an open field for an activity called Five Fires. Campers are led around five different campfires to learn from staff members how the qualities of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility come together to create friendship. Kellan also shared with me about Inspiration Point, a very special place that requires walking over 200 steps to reach the top.
My wish for my oldest son, Kellan, is to continue to try new things and discover happiness in all that he does. I hope in all stages of his life he surrounds himself with people that bring joy and positivity, and he continues to find experiences he can call his “happy place.”
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I love this story about Kellan's experiences at camp. Reading it took me to a happy place! Thank you!
What a wonderful experience for your son!
I attended church camp and 4-H camp; I still have a friend I met at camp about 55 (maybe 53) years ago, because she is a more faithful correspondent than I have ever been.
Your son’s attitude toward life will serve him well. Thank you for the happy story.