A Very Fond Farewell
In the words of Bilbo Baggins, the time has come for me to bid you all a very fond farewell. Just as the time came for Bilbo to leave the comforts of the Shire and set out on an adventure, so too has that time come for me. As difficult as it is, I have decided to move on from my role at camp to pursue the next adventure, whatever that may turn out to be.
I cannot adequately express in words the genuine pleasure it has been for me to be a part of the Merrie-Woode community these past 8 years. I consider myself truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to share in the experience of summer camp with you all. Hearing the joy and celebration after a camper passes slalom, witnessing the satisfaction of running a rapid clean, seeing the trail worn smiles of a group having just completed the 5-Day, hearing the Dining Hall erupt in congratulations as a new Horsemaster is added to the ranks; these are things I will not soon forget. Indeed, my time as a part of these wonderful programs has afforded me the opportunity to co-create experiences, memories, and relationships that I will carry with me for many years to come. There have been far too many moments to site them all, but they will all be sorely missed. In the same way that camp helps our campers grow, change, and become who they believe themselves to be, I think the same is true of everyone who gets to participate in that experience, the rest of the staff and myself included. The learning process is always a two-way street.
The river, not surprisingly, has always been a powerful and ever present metaphor for my life. At times, our interaction with the river can be tranquil and serene, a moment to reflect on the duality of natural beauty, at once intricate, fragile, and temporal, yet timeless and immutable. The river can also be wild, adrenaline filled, and yes, a bit scary, acutely reminding us that we are alive. And different still are the moments when we achieve that flow state where challenge and ability are in harmony with each other, like when the right stroke or boat maneuver seems to come without thought or deliberate action. My experiences at camp have been the realization of that metaphor in a great many ways, which is in large part what has made it so compelling.
It seems fitting then that the end of my time at Merrie-Woode should take on a parallel meaning. Sometimes when paddling you just have to peel out of the eddy point downstream and see what’s around the next bend. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sharing in this adventure with me. It has been an honor and privilege. I hope to see you on the river.