Today was reunion day up at camp. Some observations:
- It was eerie at Hilltop seeing the dining hall reduced to the chimney, the side pillars, and the slab. They have torn down the main part of the pavillion (but for some reason, some of the fire damaged storage area is still there), and construction should be starting shortly. According to one person I was talking to, the new Dining Hall should be slightly larger, but have basically the same style.
- Time removes the marks of history. The things we made and did as campers in the 1970s (at least with paint and ceramic) have faded away. All that is left is the benches, the occasional batik, and a song or two. Of course, the memories remain.
- This is true at both Hilltop and Kramer. The Jr. and Sr. Olympic plaques are still up, but appear forgotten. There’s almost no marks left of the contributions of the early campers: the trails built in the 1960s, the art work, the bridges, the steps. Time passes. Sometimes, I think the only true mark in this world are the memories and love you pass to your children.
- Speaking of children… It looks like it will be easier to convince my daughter to go this year, barring one issue. She’s having fun remembering her cabin, she had fun showing me the benches and ga-ga pit she painted last year. She’s having a ball with the Israeli Dance CD, especially remembering dances such as Turkish Kiss. She’s even talking about going for a month (well, 26 days) in 2007.
- The one issue, of course, is peanuts. She’s gotten more peanut sensitive over the year, and she’s worried about that. I think they should be able to accomodate her (even if she and friends eat separately, or if the new Dining Hall is constructed, just outside in the fresh air). However, we’ll talk to the camp nurse to make sure. If they can’t (here’s the amazing part) she still wants to go to Jewish summer camp… she knows they can make JCA Shalom peanut-free (at least for a weekend).
