Dear Treetops Families,
This week has highlighted the ways in which our campers have grown over the course of the summer, as well as the importance of each individual within our greater Camp community.
Children come to Treetops from all over the country and the world, speaking a variety of different languages and bringing their own unique cultures and perspectives to our community. Some arrive unaccustomed to Camp life and what it means to share a tent or cabin with three or four other children.
After six weeks in our mountain community, campers come to thrive individually, having gained a newfound sense of autonomy: gleefully running off to swim class without a reminder to bring a towel, hat, fuzzy, (or positive attitude!); eagerly helping a friend to sweep the barn floor after finishing their own chore, and even brushing their teeth or eating a salad, unprompted.
At the same time, our shared experiences—within the tent, in swim class, at the table during a meal, on a workjob, out on trips—have bonded us together. We share in joy, disappointment, and a sense of accomplishment: campers who finally pass their swim test after weeks of trying are met with cheers and hugs; a camper who is unable to join a trip due to injury or illness has a shoulder to cry on, or can bend an understanding ear. As a community, we’ve learned our strengths as individuals and also recognize the incredible power we have when we come together.
This week saw many more trips go out, including day trips, a rescue mission for the Junior Camp “napkin horse” who went missing, multiple overnights and a five-day hike for a group of Supers. On property, campers and staff found ways to give back to the community that has given so much to us during these recent summer weeks. On Monday, the majority of junior and senior campers weeded the potato field, while a small group of Supers embarked on a special Super project: rebuilding the beloved Senior Camp boardwalk, a hallmark of the Treetops campus. Together with our Maintenance Team and counselors, they replaced older boards and supports and worked to sink new supports, level them out, cut boards to length, and drill them into place: the parting gift of their Super summer that will last for many years to come.
Friday marked a beloved tradition with Book Day in Junior Camp (also National Book Lovers Day)! Campers arrived at the foyer library in the morning to find it had been magically and whimsically transformed into a book wonderland. Throughout the day, each camper was required to have a book to gain entry into the dining room. Upon admittance, they were delighted to find that every meal revolved around a book. As they tucked into delicious “story book meals” on a rainy day, they listened as counselors read Green Eggs & Ham, Stone Soup, Thundercake, and Dragons Love Tacos, before enjoying other activities centered around one of our favorite pastimes: reading!
As we come to the end of the week, we look forward to our trips returning and having all of our campers and staff back in Camp. The final week of our summer session is fast approaching and with it, opportunities for gratitude and celebration, as we delight in all the ways we can savor these final days of our summer together.
With gratitude,
Hannah Edwards
Camp Treetops Director