News from Camp: Closing 1st Session, July 8, 2018

by Jessie Spehar on July 08

Coming to the end of a session at camp is always bittersweet. Being at camp for two weeks or a month provides so many opportunities to build authentic relationships, create true connections with the outdoors, and create lifelong memories. Together we climbed mountains, rode horses, climbed rocks, figured things out, tried new things, pushed through difficulties, hung out in hammocks, and even had an evac.

Knowing we will be saying goodbye to our brothers and sisters in a couple of days can bring sadness, of course, but reminiscing on our shared experiences brings joy and happiness that outshines it. Saying goodbye to a place that is so dear to us is also hard. The quiet of an aspen grove, the high-energy lodge, our favorite overlooks are all part of our experience map. They are places that are memorable in themselves but also tie our memories together, bringing people, experiences and sensations together when we are far removed from them.

It is this experience, as a whole, that each of us will take with us on Tuesday - our personal experience, crafted in a community of brothers and sisters, shared over our time together. We all came to camp with our hopes, expectations, and anxieties. We leave with a great sense of accomplishment for all we have done, a stronger sense of who we are as an individual within a supportive community, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

We speak a lot about the Space, People and Time of Sanborn. They are truly unique aspects of a summer with us. Being able to experience wide open spaces, miles of trails, mountains and valleys and everything in between, is truly awe-inspiring, humbling and amazing. Spending quality time with campers and staff from over 40 states and 10 countries helps to make this giant world a bit smaller as we learn from each other first-hand, share different perspectives, and build community. At entry, the time of camp can seem daunting and feel like a very long time. In the flow of camp, though, that time moves along much too quickly. When we look back, however, we realize that we never could have accomplished or experienced all that we did in any shorter of a timeframe. It takes time to set and achieve goals, build strengths and skills, and develop deep-rooted friendships and connections.

While sad at having to say goodbye at the end our time together, we can take much joy and satisfaction in all that we have accomplished, experienced and shared. This session was truly unique, as all are, because of this unique mix of people who came together in this unique place to build this unique community. This Sanborn Summer will live on in all of us and be something that we can take with us to use as a launching point for our next adventure, as a springboard over our next hurdle, or as a place to visit in a quiet moment of reflection. And with goodbye, we look forward to when our paths may cross again in the future, to create a new memories or reminisce on old ones.

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Jessie Spehar
About Jessie Spehar

Jessie began her career at camp as a counselor in 2006 and returned each subsequent summer, taking on more responsibilities each year, including those of Camp Photographer and Supervisor of Canoeing and River trips. She joined the year-round team in 2013 as Marketing Director for the camps. Jessie has a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Special Education and taught for 4 years before joining the COEC full-time staff. Stuffing M&Ms into marshmallows prior to roasting them, sitting in a canoe or her SUP board on top of the water and photographing everything are some of Jessie’s biggest joys.