With camp right around the corner, I wanted to write something about what made Starlight a special place–something that I felt would really express what camp is all about. When I sat down to write, my daughter Gracie was right under my feet and made the task a real challenge. And then it hit me; it’s the people stupid!
Camp Starlight is an amazing place: beautiful, scenic, immaculately landscaped, state of the art facilities. But none of that is what makes Starlight my 2nd home. It is the amazing talented, selfless people that give “my camp” its soul. I started my journey to Starlight some 13 years ago, I was a 20 year old kid looking to spend one summer having a great time teaching basketball and golf, meeting amazing people and hopefully making a small impact on a group of kids. I had no idea what was in store for me.
Over the next 13 summers I would meet countless friends, watch 13 groups of Upper Seniors “graduate” from camp, get engaged, get married, spend my daughter’s 1st summer at camp, work 10 years with my wife and sister, take part in another Starlight couple’s wedding, participle in 13 Olympics– from coach, to officer, to judge, to the person that oversees the event–watch my Star hung on the dining room wall, and countless other amazing memories.
So my 1st thirteen summers have been full of a lot of great things and I am looking forward to the next 13. I am the luckiest guy in the world. I get to work with 150 college students, 500 campers, and 50 professionals every summer who have enriched my life more than they will ever know.
Thanks Camp Starlight!
Kyle
10. Complete all of the camp paperwork. This provides the camp with valuable details about your child that they can pass onto their health center and counselors. Knowing your children’s interests before they arrive helps the camp place them into cabins or bunks in which they’ll thrive, provide them with the best program options, and be able to supply them with any medication they may require.
8. Review the camp’s packing list and make sure you have everything. Don’t overlook things like extra socks and underwear as well as rain gear and warm clothing.
6. Make your Visiting Day plans and book lodging. Yes, it’s true that your children haven’t even left for camp yet. But many hotels within the immediate vicinity of a camp often book months in advance. If you’re unsure of the lodging options near your children’s camp, contact the camp office.
4. Ensure you have all adequate sports and musical equipment in order: the wheels on the roller blades are oiled, the shin pads are the proper fit, and the guitar strings have been tightened. Just as if they are going off to rehearsal, your children’s sports equipment will receive as much of a workout at camp as it will at home. Sending your campers with properly maintained and fitting equipment can have a tremendous affect on the success of their summer.
3. Pack. It sounds so simple. Yet, for camp, it’s quite the production. Most camps strongly advise against packing any clothing that can’t withstand commercial laundry services. It’s also wise to remember that camps often downplay the importance of physical appearance, which means leaving the “dry clean only” and “one of kind” items at home is typically a good idea. Once you have your children’s bags packed, don’t forget to arrange for them to be delivered to camp by the designated date.
2. Review the bus pickup location and procedures. It’s particularly important to understand what your children can take on the plane or bus and what they can’t. Carefully review whether lunch will be provided for your children either on the trip or when they get to camp, or if you should provide packed lunches for them. Understand the carry-on limitations, particularly in regard to sports equipment. Finally, be on time to the departure point. Of course, people inevitably get stuck in traffic or lost (as is particularly the case for new pickup locations), but try to get a sense of where you’re going ahead of time and leave a bit early if necessary.
