Final Paper

For my final paper for class, I had to choose a nonprofit organization to write about. The first five pages traced the history- from the beginning stages until present day. The last three pages analyzed the current position of the organization.

Founded in 1947, camp has been around for a long time. However, the history of the organization, photos, stories, artifacts, are limited. Over the past three years, I have heard stories, found things in drawers, met people who have filled in details, and little by little put together the pieces. It is sad that an organization that has been around for so long has not been preserved, but with the amount of turnover in leadership, it's not a surprise.

This paper was a great opportunity to really dig in and research the history. I interviewed several board members and two former directors. I read meeting minutes from 1949 until present. I made a chart of summer registrations, listed the names and dates of all of the previous directors, and by the time the paper was complete, I felt a new and deeper connection to camp than ever before.

I gained a new appreciation for the organization, the people who came before me and the fact that I am part of something that is much bigger than just the few summers I have been here. Camp has become my whole world, but really, I am just a small piece of a greater history. My perspective on my role at camp and camp overall has changed. Camp is not about me, what I want or my vision; rather, it is an honor to be part of and to take my turn leading this organization.

I received an 'A' on the paper and in the class overall. But by the time I submitted the paper, I had learned so much and felt such a deep connection to camp, that even the best grade couldn't possibly represent what I had gained.