Friends of the blog! I apologize for the delay in the final post for Camp 2025! We returned home from Camp just over a week ago, and the return to regular life was a busy one for everyone. It’s always a strange phenomenon every year when we return home from Camp. We quickly return to our routines with an amazing week to reflect on.

Our last day of Camp came as it always does, accompanied by a bittersweet feeling. I know many of us would agree that we yearn for the comfort of our own beds and the water pressure in our own showers, but it’s always hard to say goodbye the the Camp week and the memories we made.

After the trucks were packed, breakfast was served. We loaded scrambled eggs, sausage, English muffins, and fruit onto our plates for one last meal together. The dining hall was filled with the best kind of noise: music, laughter, and conversation.

After breakfast, we gathered for a final Morning Watch. At the end, campers and staff were encouraged to hug the first person they made eye contact with. All of a sudden, more than 250 people were embracing for one last Camp hug. This has become a tradition for the last day of Camp and it’s one that i cherish. My heart is never more full. Everyone then made their way to the Council Ring for our final moments together before the buses arrived.

Rev. Brian Craig offered one final prayer of gratitude for the week we had, the people we met, and the. memories we made. Everyone gathered together to sing the Lord’s Prayer one last time. The council ring, much like most of Camp Robindel, is located right on the lake and you could hear the water lapping at the shoreline as folks reflected on the amazing week.

Bus cards were handed out, last-minute hugs were exchanged, and pictures were taken. Once the buses were loaded, the remaining staff members lined the road to bid farewell to our amazing campers. There’s always mixed emotions as the buses pull away. Joy, sadness, pride, love. There’s also always applause for yet another successful week of Camp.

It was this blog author’s 23rd year of Camp. Six as a camper and 17 on staff. We’ve seen so many changes during those 23 years, but most of them have occurred over the last five. The pandemic changed Camp forever. We hosted a virtual camp before our triumphant return to Camp Cody. Last summer, it became clear that moving to a new camp was in the best interest of our campers so our staff took that on as well. Fast-forward to now… Camp Robindel has been the most amazing home for us. The team at Robindel was so accommodating and worked so hard to make this week a good experience for us. I am so grateful to them for taking such good care of us and for welcoming us the most open arms you could imagine.

In theory, I knew the Camp spirit would follow us wherever we went. We have the proof. Before moving to Robindel, Camp had three prior home: Winni, Kingsmont, and Cody. But it feels entirely different to see it happen right in front of you. Within days, Robindel felt like home. It felt as if we were meant for Robindel and it was meant for us.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Camp is not a place, it is the people. Thank you to every camper who joined us this week. You all brought so much enthusiasm and joy to every program! It takes courage to go away to Camp for a week and we are so grateful that you want to spend this time with us and continue making memories at Camp.

Thank you to our amazing staff. It is quite literally the greatest privilege of my life to do this work with this group. I am constantly reminded that the future of Camp is bright because of the incredible people on our staff. Each of us is charged with moving the legacy of Camp forward and I can assure you, that legacy is in the best hands. I will never get over how much work these volunteers put in to make this week perfect. These are my teammates for life.

It’s always a daunting task to capture our week together. I hope that this blog helps our friends and family at home enjoy Camp. I appreciate every person who takes the time to read along and keep up with our adventures. Although we’re away from you for a week, I hope you know you’re always in our hearts and on our minds. It’s really a joy to share this experience with you! I hope you’ll join us next summer.

Planning for the next year of Camp begins almost the moment when we return in August. Our staff spends countless hours planning and preparing for the Camp week. They pour so much time and energy into building this program, so please join me in expressing gratitude for all their work.

See you again in 50 weeks. In the meantime, do good and be well.

P.S. Save the date for Camp 2026… August 9-16!