Summer staff begin training as strangers, not really sure of each other, unsure if they belong or if they made the right choice in coming to the woods for three months. By the end of the summer, they have spent 24/7, working, playing, hanging out, supporting each other through frustration and exhaustion, and have developed a bond that is unlike any of their other relationships. They hug and cry and cling to each other- now unsure how they will survive without being surrounded by this new family they've only known for 3 months, but feel so connected to.
In the weeks following camp, I get lots of emails and phone calls as staff adjust back to real life. It's not always easy- their friends and family don't understand what a life changing 3 months they've had and the rest of the staff is spread around the state and country, back to school and their real lives.
By the time Christmas rolls around, most people are back to their normal life and the ache from missing camp has faded.
For the past 2 years, I have hosted a Christmas party/ staff reunion. Both years I have made a big dinner, fabulous dessert and bought the cutest party gifts (last year it was photo flip books and this year was a gingerbread house box filled with a variety of goodies, including an ornament, candy, etc.). I also made several batches of gingerbread and icing so that everyone could make gingerbread houses. It's a lot of work, but I actually really like the planning and whole production of it.
Besides the preparation, my real motivation is the "ah ha" moment I know the majority of the staff will have. They develop such close relationships and then they mount the loss of camp, and by Christmas, they are wondering if it was really as important as they thought it was.
The first three staff arrived early and as I hugged and greeted them, Counselor B burst into tears. She'd flown across the country to be at the party and she just couldn't believe she was back! Each staff member after the first group was greeted by a deafening shout as the door opened and everyone celebrated the latest arrival. It was pure excitement and so fun to stand back and watch. I watched their faces flood with emotion and I could almost see their thoughts as they came together for the first time since the summer.
Halfway through the night, Counselor M leaned over to Counselor H and said, "I can't believe we're all here. It feels like we were never apart." Bingo! THAT is the reason I work so hard to bring them back together. The relationships that are built at camp are unlike any others they have and even months apart doesn't take away the connection. It's an incredible feeling of belonging, of being truly understood and feeling complete. Being able to facilitate the makes my job the greatest in the world.
And that, is truly the reason for the season. Merry Christmas.
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