Instructions for Living Life

I sat at the Final Night campfire tonight under the canopy of a centuries-old white pine (Dohivi Noche) astonished. I am astonished at the strangeness of camp, and I don’t know if our campers and counselors realize fully just how strange it is. I say the word “strange” not in a bad way which has become its default connotation but in a beautiful way. Camp is strange and that is a great thing.

For centuries, millennia even, people have gathered around campfires to tell stories. Groups have had rituals and ceremonies celebrating certain members for their passion and kindness. They have sung songs and played games in the sunshine and the rain. They have done so outside, surrounded by lush foliage, exposed to the sun, cooling themselves by jumping in lakes and rivers.

In reflecting on the joy of this session I kept thinking about a hypothesis called Biophilia. I first learned about this in Florence Williams’ book The Nature Fix. Williams works with scientists who can physically study the positive links between being outside and our physical and mental health. The argument of Biophilia is that because we as a species have grown and evolved in an environment that was mostly natural, we in our modern society are more comfortable, happier, and physically healthier when we surround ourselves not with screens or walls, but with rocks, trees, water and wind.

In the second account of creation in Genesis, God forms the first human Adam, adam, from the dust of the ground adamah. My Old Testament Seminary Professor Dr. Bill Brown told me that a more accurate translation from the Hebrew for what we call a “human” would be “dirt person” since etymologically one is derived from the other. Seeing these verses as a poetic and divinely inspired reminder of God’s intentions for us, it’s evident that we exist in communion with the created world and as many scientists would point out, share a fairly similar atomic structure too.

The farther removed we get from our roots, the more problems we have. The gift of camp is allowing us to return to our strange roots. What a gift it is to see hundreds of girls not looking at a phone but at each other. To see cabins stay up late not streaming a show or doom-scrolling but telling jokes and giggling in their bunks. I love it when girls act in a camp not aiming for a great photo, but aiming for a great time, and often the photo follows. I love to hear of the thrills our campers get not from a video game, but from the real sensation of kayaking down the Nantahala, climbing up Cedar Rock, or mountain biking down a fern-lined trail. 

I realize my camp-vangelism can sound like a broken record, but I firmly believe that the “strangeness” of camp is the return to the core components of joy: connection, authenticity, and sensation. 

These themes were highlighted in our closing campfire tonight where different campers and counselors were nominated to give their wishes for camp.

Annabel from Hillbrook spoke of her absolute love for her hill. From the mundane noises of the swim lake and a close proximity to the kind nurses at the wishing well, to the genuine friendships she has made in her three years on Hillbrook, Annabel exemplified gratitude in reminding us to look for joy in all that we encounter.

Scout from Heigh Ho emphasized how camp has transformed her in the past three years from an insecure girl feeling the need to fit in, to a brave young woman who knows that her differences are what makes her powerful. “The world needs different people” she said, and she is right.

Lila from Pineview was a spark this year. We had 35 sparks this year in Pine Branch and Pine View Lodge. Lila speaks of this community being a blessing to her and how these sparks, who I have been so impressed with, are family. These sparks worked tirelessly to put on a great final banquet with a Dr. Suess theme. Oh the places we went, thanks to some really great girls in the Sparks. Lila finished her wish by challenging us all to find home not in material things, but in the people we love.

Chambless our wish-giver from the CIT’s echoed Lila’s words, speaking from Ruth 1:16, saying boldly that she has found her people. She reflected on the experience of dancing while sorting silverware, encouraging us to find places to dance in life, and people to dance with.

Jules our JC spoke on the unique experience of being a Junior Counselor. It is the liminal space between camper and full counselor where bonds are forged not only in the cabin, but also around the dish pit and our industrial Hobart Dishwasher.

Lastly, Parker represented the Counselors and reflected on her 13th summer at Illahee and the way that camp helps her to be her truest self. She called us to not let our growing age keep us from acting with child-like curiosity and silliness.

I’m a sucker for a good speech, and I am amazed at these young women who spoke in front camp tonight with enthusiasm and authenticity.

Mary Oliver is a favorite poet. Honestly, she’s one of the only poets I like. I admire her simplicity.

My favorite poem of hers is called “Instructions for Living a Life.” It reads:

Pay attention.
Be Astonished.
Tell about it.

I stand in awe of the power of camp. I am repeatedly astonished by this place, these people, our God, and the alchemy of the three. 

I love writing the blog because I get to give you a daily glimpse of my astonishment.

Tomorrow, your daughter(s) will get to tell you about it too.

Gratefully,

Lucas