Dreaming of Four Winds Westward Ho

It's hard to believe that it's been 7 years since my 12 year run of spending summers at Four Winds Camp and yet all the memories are so vivid and the feelings of community, friendship, and love are still so real.  Every summer from June 24th to August 21st I find myself thinking a lot about my time at camp and how much I miss it.  I also find that during the summer I have more dreams where I am back on Orcas with old friends.  It's amazing how what you do for one or two months a year (I mean I really only spent about 16 months there in total) can have such a huge impact on your life.  And I know that all summer camps are special, but for some reason this one seems more special than others.  It is really a truly magical and life changing place and I feel so lucky to have had the experiences there be part of my life.

The other night I was in such a deep sleep and dreaming that I was sitting on the grass with friends outside the lodge watching the kids play pickleball and run around and climb up and down the tree house.  Neil woke me up to say goodbye as he left for work and I just said to him, "I was dreaming that I was at camp.  I miss it so much."  It seemed he knew just the right thing to say, "Well, we can have our baby go to camp and then you can go visit."  And I said, "But that won't be for like 10 years!"  

I do dream of having my kids go to Four Winds.  Where during the summer months they won't use cell phones or iPads or computers or watch tv or play video games, but instead they'll sit in the grass and play the guitar, or read, or knit, or draw, or sing, or have conversations.  Where they will make friends from all over the world.  Where they will find courage within themselves that they never knew they had.  Where they will enhance their independence and confidence.  Where they will take risks and feel rewarded and accepted.  Where they will learn new skills and discover things they love to do.  Where they will laugh harder than they ever have before.  And where they will have the best day of their life every day.   

Okay, I know that this is my fantasy and that it may not be a good fit for them and that will be okay too.  But I will most likely make them give it a try for one year at least. :)

The other night I was looking through my old photo albums.  I picked out a few of my favorite photos that I feel somewhat capture the feelings of being at Four Winds or a few that are just fond memories that I have. (I know there are a lot, but I couldn't stop finding favorites!)

My first summer there at age 11, 1993, in the Treehouse

My favorite place at camp, the dock

Enjoying one of the many beautiful sunsets over the islands

My favorite Evening Activity, Folk Dance!!

Having fun on the dock with Sumo Lifejackets

Singing at Evening Fire in the Lodge

the traditional CT Ice Cream fight

Enjoying a Folk Dance with friends

Sailing out on the water...I can still hear the water lapping the sides of the boat

CT girls, 1999

The Dock and The Carlyn, my favorite view walking to work in the morning

Heads Staff meeting, with two of my favorite ladies

Heads Team, 2004

The view from lying in bed in my tent, 2004 and 2005

By the way, I really know that the weepy pregnant hormones are getting to me since I've been crying with tears running down my face while writing this.  Oh, wait, I do remember missing camp and crying throughout the year when I was a kid too, definitely before I was pregnant.  Okay, maybe it is only partly the hormones. :)