Virginia Pines: Tecumseh

A lot of things are changing in my world right now. Well, not in my vicinity but things that affect my life and have shaped our lives are changing. Camp Tecumseh is changing and that's a big deal. For those of you who never went to camp, you probably don't understand. Our camp was like a family, a bubble of people you loved and experiences you treasured. The director and his wife, who have molded our lives in more ways than they know, are moving and leaving their positions at camp. My heart breaks. We have grown to know and love their wonderful family. We have been friends with them for years.

I know that just because they are moving doesn't mean that our memories disappear or the purpose of camp changes. We are lucky to have another dear friend and staff member who knows camp just as well taking over the Director roll and really, so much more than that. But I get nostalgic. I just always wanted my children to go to camp, just as I remember it. With the same wonderful staff and I know things change but change is sometimes hard.

Whenever we went home and were able to visit camp, we always looked forward to stopping by Dave and Beth Wrights house for a friendly hug and conversation. I will miss that. I am incredibly happy for them to be moving close to their grandson in the beautiful land of Michigan and have their own house and yard. I will just miss seeing them every summer.

In a BIG BIG way, I know that Camp has made me who I am today and all the wonderful things that happen there. God first, Others second and Yourself third is the motto I strive to live by. In the early years as day camp staff (when I was still in high school), being at camp gave me so much independence and taught me responsibility. It taught me about being a friend and being truly happy. For that I will always be grateful. I feel every kid should go to camp and become a counselor. If I wouldn't have been a counselor, it would have taken me a lot longer to know myself and discover the meaning of joy.

Dave and Beth- You have done so much for me and Kevin, you will never know. Thanks so being so wonderful. The best camp parents a girl could ask for.

[Below- old camp pictures I discovered]

As a camper in 2002 with all my friends. I met them at camp and five of us went to camp for the same 2 weeks every summer.

Second year of Day Camp, 2005. I just discovered that I was on the left and Kevin was standing next to me. I thought he was a pretty cool friend back then. Crushing.