Summer Sleep-Away Camps: A Tradition of Fun and Growth

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Boating with friends at campThe following article was originally published  in “The Quarterly” magazine, summer 2013 issue.

5 AM. There was a biting chill in the air at the edge of a wood-planked pier on Catalina Island. But fighting against common sense, I dove into an even more frigid Pacific. Every nerve ending was jolted to attention as a rush of exhilaration forced my limbs to move, propelling me toward the sandy shores of Camp Fox.

What would compel me, a kid more than 30 years ago, to go “polar bearing?” Peer pressure? Maybe. Stupidity? Probably. The pure rush of mad fun? Most definitely.

It was summer. I was at camp. And I was going to make the most of my week away from my parents. The expectation of making new friends, enjoying nature and having fun was a given. Little did I know that I would also be educated there: learn new skills, build self-confidence and be inspired to become a better person. This masked learning occurred with each successive camp, whether it was a traditional outdoor activity camp, Girl Scout camp, gymnastic camp or church camp, I grew, transforming for the better.

Megan McDuffie, in her 11th year of being a volunteer or camp director at YMCAs Camp Whittle, reflects on her experience there. “It’s powerful to see kids who came in through camp, giving back to the community… In an unplugged environment, it’s valuable to get back to nature while connecting with other campers.”

And for the last 152 years, children in America have been experiencing the multi-faceted thrill of overnight camps.

In 1861, an educator and abolitionist with Christian values, Fredrick William Gunn and his wife, Abigail took a group of children camping. The youth from “The Gunnery,” the Gunn’s school in Connecticut, went on a 10-day “Civil War-inspired training” that included swimming, fishing, hiking and boating. About 30 boys and 12 girls participated in the trip that would ignite a camping movement, making Gunn the “father of recreational camping.”

In the 1870s, the Gunn’s continued camp at Lake Waramaug. In 1874, the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) opened a camp for girls who needed rest from their non-stop working conditions, while a couple private camps sprang up in 1876 and 1881.

The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) in New York opened Camp Dudley in 1885, the longest continually operating camp in the United States.

By 1902, Camp Kehonka for girls was founded in New Hampshire by Laura Mattoon, teacher and creator of bifurcated clothing for girls so that they could move more freely outdoors.

Eleanor Eells, social worker, camp advocate and camp historian, said of Mattoon in her 1978 publication Eleanor’s Vignettes, “She understood well the place women were to occupy in the twentieth century and the many ways in which the camp experience could be a preparation. Her ideas about camping education, and women’s role were in advance of her time.”

The LA YMCA started its first summer resident camp in 1912. In 1914, after the South Pasadena YMCA (later adding San Marino to its name) was founded, campers from the new Y joined the LA camp.

In addition to traditional camp activities like horseback riding, kayaking, archery and a ropes course, unique to the Y’s camp is the rag program of setting personal goals, which also began in 1914 by Thomas Caldwell.

“Ragging” a friend meant bestowing one of various bandana-like colored cloths around a person’s neck as an outward symbol for an inward commitment toward betterment. Lorenzo Frias, a Freshman at South Pasadena High School and on the leadership track at Y camps said, “It’s an amazing experience. It changes you. I even have a friend with anger management issues who just changed. He became nice!”

In 1910, the same year Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire USA began, Alan S. Williams founded the Camp Directors Association of America, known today as the American Camp Association (ACA), standardizing camp quality for safety, staffing, health and programming.

The ACA helped take camps to a new level of excellence. “Educators are at the core of the camp community, professionalizing the field and raising the professional caliber,” said Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association.

Today, there are nearly 200 overnight camps in California (162 are ACA accredited) and close to 2000 nationwide (1,636 are ACA accredited). That’s more than 14,000 sessions in all!

Along with local traditional camps, like Catalina Island Camps (since 1922) and the YMCA’s Camp Whittle (since 1958), there are also popular interest group camps like Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina Island for Boy Scouts (since the 1920s), Winacka Girl Scouts camp in San Diego (since 1974) and a nondenominational Christian camp at Forest Home in Forest Falls (since 1938).

Currently, the colorful palate of sleep-away camps is mind-boggling. One can choose among an in exhaustive list of camps centered on: every imaginable sports activity, art, science, language and cultural experiences.

There are even technology camps that focus on computers, programming, iPads, iPhones, gaming and game design (internaldrive.com); then to rehabilitate from too much technology use, there’s a ranch and rustic living camp (jamesonranchcamp.com).

Some unique experiences include: secret agent, girl power, Hollywood stunt, rock star, flying trapeze, extreme action, fashion, DJ, broadcast, culinary camps and more (paliadventures.com). Or if astronomy and space exploration are a passion, there’s Astro Camp (guidediscoveries.org).

I don’t remember all the things I did at the many camps I attended, but I do remember my awe of nature, a force bigger than myself. I remember the people and how they influenced the way I felt about myself.

There were crazy fun counselors who did ridiculously silly things like rinse into a cup only to pass it on for the next counselor to do the same. There were campers who told scary stories about bores that would gore us in the night if we stepped out of our cabins and bees that could spit blinding poison into eyes. And there were “friends” who made me ask a boy to dance, leaving me humbled by the trauma of it even now.

I learned silly songs I can still recite perfectly today. I relaxed on logs, doing nothing but cultivate deeper friendships. The saturated weeks I spent with people proved to draw them closer than years of casual interactions. And if they asked me again to jump into ice-cold waters in the middle of the ocean, I just might do it.

Resources for local camps: camppage.com, kidscamp.com, ymcala.org

Special thanks to Stephanie Yuen at the South Pasadena/San Marino YMCA and Kim Bruno at the American Camp Association for contributing to this story.

History of camp credits: connecticuthistory.org, acacamp.org and summercamphandbook.com

Appreciating Artistic Easter Eggs

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Originally printed in The Quarterly magazine, Spring 2013

Artistic Eggs

Every morning, ordinary chicken eggs are cracked into frying pans. The content satisfies hunger and nourishes the body; and often, nothing more is thought of it… that is, until another egg dish is created or Easter rolls around. In the spring, the commonplace breakfast item demands attention in another way. What does this delicate white ovoid symbolize? And why do people yearn to decorate it?

Through the ages, the egg has become a universal symbol of new life, fresh beginnings and miracles. People began decorating and exchanging them as unique gifts and as a remembrance of hope. Artistic eggs help celebrate special occasions in nearly every corner of the globe. Whether they are a solid color or have intricate designs, the ornate egg is more than an attractive addition on a shelf or in a basket; the meaning associated helps us have a more egg-straordinary appreciation for its beauty.

Dating back nearly 4000 BC, decorated ceramic eggs were excavated within the Ukraine giving way to today’s well-known Ukrainian pysanka (also Croatian pisanica, Polish pisanka, and Romanian Ciocanesti egg.)

The beautiful pysanka is an elaborately dyed Easter egg using the batik process of applying beeswax and the consecutive dying of darker colors to display the previous light color under the wax that is later wiped away.

The Chinese were known to decorate eggs around 900 BC. They were used in temple worship and as decorative items while symbolizing fertility and rebirth.

Ancient Persians exchanged gifts of colored eggs during the spring equinox, the start of their new year.

One of the most extravagant egg decorations was by Russian jeweler, Peter Carl Fabergé. He and the subsequent House of Fabergé made opulent eggs of gold, precious metals and stones, and surprise treasures nestled within each other for Tsar Alexander III to give to his wife for Easter in 1885.

The more modern Japanese Washi eggs is made from art on Washi paper from the bark of 3 different Japanese trees that is glued onto the egg and believed to bring good luck, prosperity and health, while representing fertility and love.

In the Christian tradition, the Easter egg represents a new, eternal life. It is often dyed red to symbolize Jesus’ blood from his death on the cross. The shape of the egg is also compared to the stone that was rolled away from his grave. And blowing the contents out of the egg by placing a hole at each end symbolizes the empty tomb and hence Jesus’ resurrection.

In the spirit of all things new, create your own artistic Easter eggs by decorating them with vibrant spring colors.

Like people, each egg is wholly unique even before an artist adorns it with their designs or a drop of dye stains the surface. So as you gaze upon the egg, consider the rich heritage surrounding it and make it your own.

Go online and purchase different types of eggs: goose, duck, turkey or even emu, rhea or ostrich eggs, the later 3 having thicker shells to make longer-lasting treasures like boxes and mosaics. Embellish the eggs with your creativity. Scramble-up new egg dishes, using any of the eggs above. And have fun sharing your creation with friends and family.

Egg-related Easter happenings around the San Gabriel Valley:

To decorate clay eggs (or bunnies and cross boxes) visit Color Me Mine in Pasadena (626) 298-6765.

South Pasadena’s Egg-stravaganza will be held on Saturday, March 30, from 12-2 PM at Garfield Park. There will be a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, egg hunts divided by age groups, mini carnival rides, arts and crafts, and more ($5 for children.) For more information call (626) 403-7380.

Arcadia’s Spring Egg-stravaganza will be on March 30, starting at 11 AM at Arcadia County Park. There will be an egg hunt and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. On Friday night, March 29 is The Great Egg Race, a flashlight egg hunt for teens. For more information call (626) 574-5113.

In San Gabriel, on March 30, beginning at 7 AM, there will be a breakfast at Smith Park (a small charge for children and adults). Pancake races begin at 9 AM (bring your own spatula!) And an egg hunt will begin at 10 AM. For more information call (626) 308-2875.

Kidspace in Pasadena hosts an egg hunt after Easter on Sunday, April 7. For the price of admission call (626) 449-9144.

Enjoy eggs at various sites for Easter brunch: Firefly Bistro in South Pasadena, The Huntington Library in San Marino, and in Pasadena – La Grande Orange Café, The Raymond, Parkway Grill, Mi Piace, and Maison Akira.

Honest Strangers: You Have Got to be Kidding Me?

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Recently I lost 2 pairs of dirty socks, a sweater, a young adult novel, my Bible study sheet and… my new MacBookAir with writings and edits not yet downloaded to my external hard drive. The entirety of my backpack was left nearly two hours away from my home in a parking garage at the Riverside Marriott.

I won’t reveal who actually failed to load this particular item, but it wasn’t me. While unpacking the car at home and discovering it was lost, I wish I could say that I stayed calm toward the guilty party, but then I would be lying.

In fact, I lost it. Anger bubbled out of me and spewed onto everything within 50 feet. It seemed that the only words I knew and repeated at a high decibel were: “You have got to be kidding me? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!…” I paced and pondered, “should I throw something or simply sit and cry?”

My husband tried to remind me of my own words to my boys during happier times, “Don’t you always say, ‘people are more important than things?’” But all I could think was, “No you didn’t! Get out of my way or I will hurt you.” Yes, I conveyed this in one glaring glance. (FYI husbands: this would not be the most ideal time to remind your wife about such things. After I cooled down, way after, I finally acted on what I believed at my core and apologized; but that’s another story.)

At that moment, I stormed away. I prepared myself for the most likely outcome: my backpack and all its riches was a goner. I did not have faith in my fellow man to return such a treasure.

So when the lady at the front desk of the hotel said these glorious words to my husband over the phone (since I was too angry to have a calm conversation with anyone), “Someone returned your bag,” I could hardly believe my ears.

“Really? Really! Really!?…” Again, few words (one to be exact) repeated in my head. After describing the items and making absolute sure that this was my bag, I breathed a sigh of relief, but I was still upset. It could have been lost forever, but I got lucky. Now we have to drive 4 hours there and back to get it.

Thankfully, I was reminded of a friend who attends UC Riverside and she brought back my good-as-gone backpack a week later (thank you Candy!)

But another person I have to thank is the honest stranger who brought my bag to the hotel’s lost and found (and thank the staff at the Marriott, too). At any dishonest juncture, my belongings could have been no more. But my bag was fortunate to have met some honest people. They do exist! Are you one of them?

I am far from perfect. You know this just from my description of my response above. God is still working on me. But my husband’s reminder was correct, though poorly timed: people are more important than things.

And if I chose to believe and act on this truth sooner, I could have saved myself from a regretful tantrum.

Thankfully, the honest stranger believed this. They cared more about doing what was right (perhaps thinking about the person behind the loss), than they cared about gaining the item: that’s honesty, that’s honor, that’s what “good” looks like.

Most of us can’t do this on our own. We need a moral compass, a person of integrity in our lives who we are accountable to, or better yet, an all-powerful and good God to follow.

Actually, I don’t think the return was “luck” at all. Someone simply chose to do what was right and I benefited from it.

Think about it: if we all stopped justifying what’s downright wrong, and for instance, returned what wasn’t ours, maybe we’d get back more than just our lost stuff. If we chose truth over lies, silence over gossip, people over possessions, maybe we could even get back a bit of our humanity.

Thank you honest stranger, not only for returning my things but for helping me rediscover that which was lost: hope in people to choose good.

Old Book for New Year: Discover Poetry

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poetryTo ring in the new year I wanted to celebrate an older book with even older content: “A Poem for Every Day! An Anthology of 180 Poems…” By Susan Moger. There are many similar types of books, but this particular one is for kids in grades 3-5, so it’s perfect for me, a self-proclaimed poetry simpleton. I know, it’s a sad and embarrassing confession for a writer. But there you have it, raw honesty to encourage you to pick up poetry at any age.

Actually, I found this book years ago at a fair, hoping to explore it with my own kids (and the fact that this old lady gets to learn right alongside them, even better!) The book was meant for teachers; but as a parent, “teacher” is simply another hat we wear, so don’t be intimidated by the author’s guide for the intended audience. Rather, be empowered by it.

Last April during National Poetry Month, my boys and I opened this book to enjoy a new burst of words each day. It was not easy — maybe because I chose the time right after school to have “more school.” (Well, it seemed like a good hour at the time.)

“If at first you don’t succeed…” just stop. Take a break. Then try again and again. So for round 2, we will attempt impassioned poetry readings at bedtime. The constant procrastination attempts before sleep should work well for this. And doing a poem a day or every other day will take us well into April, as we join countrymen in celebrating crafty phrases.

As for the book itself, I like how it is divided: poems for patriots; poems about the living world; haiku; poems about people, places and things; poems about poetry and words; poems of beauty and magic; poems for fun. It’s organized so you can skip around, depending how you feel. Some are quite popular, like  ”Casey at the Bat” and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while others are more obscure, at least to me. But all are a form of expression that can sometimes say profound things in simple ways. It’s a gift to behold.

So in this season, enjoy some good poetry, at any level, from any anthology. And hopefully, maybe quite by surprise, your kids (and you) will discover the magical and transforming power of words — before our eyes retire for the night, surrendering ourselves to rest  and allowing these lovely words to slip into our dreams.

Publisher: Scholastic 2006

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments: A Tradition of Memories — Day 12

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IMG_3830On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 12 Hopes and Dreams!

11 friends and family, 10 gifts from giving, 9 wooden beauties, 8 family trips, 7 Bruins beating Trojans (38-28!), 6 Asian Orbs, 5 manger scenes! 4 major awards, 3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

It’s the day before Christmas and for me, this can be either a magical time or a mad rush to finalize the securing of gifts. Sometimes it’s both. But my longing is for the former.

Yes, this can be even a “magical” or supernatural time for adults as well as kids. When our perspective of the special day ahead is aligned to the true meaning, the wonder is there.

I’m reminded of a song I always hear on the radio during the seasons; one of the verses includes this line, “This is my grown up Christmas list…”

As a young child, you may deeply hope for candy. But as you grow, the sophistication of dreams grows along with you. Sometimes that wish grows a little faster than one’s maturity can take (this year my 5-year-old asked Santa for an “ifone” — I don’t think so!)

But if I do my job as a thoughtful parent, I can plant seeds of hope and truth, continuing to nourish it while asking God to grow it up in a healthy manner. I try to remind my kids and myself (over and over) what is really important in this world (things that last: who we become and how we get there, people and how we treat them, God….)

To drive this point home a bit deeper for our family, last year I planted another little seed that has the potential to sprout goodness. We all wrote our hopes and wishes on a gift tag and hung them on the tree as ornaments. Of course, I gave some suggestions to think beyond the tangible. And even my 4-year-old at the time got it or at least, is slowly getting it (see pictured ornament). He had me write about giving food to hungry people. And to make his wish come true, we did just that through the year.

Of course, this takes some effort, but not much. And it’s worth it! Believe me, it’s not just for the kids; I, too, am reminded of the desires God wants us to have, the prayerful hopes and wishes that bring life. In fact, this season is all about life… of a baby who came into this world to give us the ultimate life.

So let us remember through our ornaments, among so many other things, all that makes this life worth living.

Merry Christmas to you all in my cyber world. And Happy Birthday, Jesus!

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments: A Tradition of Memories — Day 11

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IMG_3752On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 11 friendly families,

10 gifts from giving, 9 wooden beauties, 8 family trips, 7 Bruins beating Trojans (38-28!), 6 Asian Orbs, 5 manger scenes! 4 major awards, 3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

Whether friendly families, friends of the family, or simply family… today is about giving to the ones we love. It goes without saying that the people in our lives are of utmost importance. And because I believe that the soul is eternal, individuals should be treated with respect, allowing relationships to take precedence over circumstances or things.

Giving is one way of showing honor and love and when it’s personal (even personalized), it’s even more specifically for that individual.

On the first day I mentioned hanging photos on your own tree of those who are close to you. But taking that idea a step further, I actually like giving ornaments as gifts. Since there are as many kinds of ornaments as there are people, you’re bound to find one that fits someone pretty well.

So whether giving or receiving a hanging figure, bringing it out each year, reminds me of the giver: how well they knew me or how thoughtful they were to commemorate a shared moment.

Personalized ornaments can also make the exchange that much more fun. And though the specialized pieces can get pricy from those carts in the middle of malls, an after-Christmas discounted one where you write the year and the name yourself with a Sharpie can be just as nice (but if it’s for the following year, don’t forget where you stored it.)

A small token of friendship and appreciation for the ones God placed in our lives by chance or by choice (no matter the kind and whether or not there’s writing on it), these little treasures are an excellent addition to any tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – visit here tomorrow to see.

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments: A Tradition of Memories — Day 10

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IMG_3801On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 10 gifts from giving,

9 wooden beauties, 8 family trips, 7 Bruins beating Trojans (38-28!), 6 Asian Orbs, 5 manger scenes! 4 major awards, 3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

A life is enhanced when we give. Sometimes we give money to our favorite charities. And other times, we give of ourselves as volunteers, sharing our time and our talents. However we give, the act itself always refreshes the soul in surprising ways.

On this 10th day… My hope is to take the focus off me and think about the missionaries we support, the places we volunteer, and the people we give to.IMG_3845

More than a tax write-off, giving is a partnership. Whenever I give, I try to remember that I am supporting the receiver. I’m saying, “I believe in you and you’re worth my time and money.” I try to pray for them and pray that the money is used wisely.

The two ornaments shown here were gifts from people we support overseas. They are hand-painted in the country of origin (the Philippines). But even more than reminding me of this part of the world, when I look at these, I also think about the other missionaries, organizations, and people we cheer for.

Truly, I have it easy here. So when I take my eyes off me and onto others, I’m reminded of and humbled by God’s greatness and love.

And the greatest gift of all, we celebrate in 2 days… Emmanuel, God with us, was born.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – visit here tomorrow to see.

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments: A Tradition of Memories — Day 9

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IMG_3797On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me –

9 wooden beauties

8 family trips, 7 Bruins beating Trojans (38-28!), 6 Asian Orbs, 5 manger scenes! 4 major awards, 3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

What is really beautiful? Is it in the Sistine Chapel or an ethereal photo of a hummingbird in flight? Is it found in a friendship of foes or in an exquisite chocolate soufflé? Maybe it’s in a perfectly sung note, a yellow dot on blue canvas, or a gilded cross.

Of course, beauty can be all those things. But what makes one thing more beautiful than another is completely dependent on the value ascribed by each individual.IMG_3751

This is how commonplace things or people become extraordinary. Case in point, my dad found in nature, an ordinary and yet remarkable stone. (He’s an avid viewing stone collector.) This particular stone is worth a small house! Someone actually offered him this amount, but he refused to give it up.

And if a beholder thinks someone is pretty awesome, the one who’s being admired actually starts believing it. Their whole demeanor changes. They become confident, maybe gracious, and even joyful.

This season, let us see beauty. Open your eyes and hearts to that which is beautiful: a life, a story, an ornament.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – visit here tomorrow to see.

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments: A Tradition of Memories — Day 8

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IMG_3854On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me –

8 family trips

7 Bruins beating Trojans (38-28!), 6 Asian Orbs, 5 manger scenes! 4 major awards, 3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

Seven years ago, our family visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. When I was 10, all I wanted to be was an astronaut, so the visit was truly thrilling for me, especially. So to remember our trip, I was so pleased to have found an ornament to help us relive our experience. Every time I bring out our golden space shuttle ornament, memories about a family trip and a youthful dream reemerge.

Though our son remembers one thing about that vacation (the Mickey pool on the Disney Cruise), I recall several more. At the space center I remember seeing the space suits, the mission control room, the size of the rocket boosters, and the shuttle mover over gravel. It was all awesome!IMG_4025

Yesterday I was a chaperone on my 5th grader’s field trip to the California ScienCenter, the new home of the retired space shuttle Endeavour. Again, to see the shuttle up close was amazing and the 3D IMAX movie, breathtaking and humbling. Our trip yesterday, our trip to Florida, and a little girl’s dream are all wrapped up in my tiny fragile ornament. It represents to me: God giving man the  ability to reach great heights, figuratively and literally!

On the flip side there’s God’s natural wonders, supernatural “great heights,” if you will. This last summer we visited Yellowstone, the first National Park in our country. There, we saw another kind of amazing. So what did I do? Well, I bought a bison ornament, naturally, since we saw about 100 of them.

Again, it’s my way of assuring that we remember the great moments in our lives, each time we bring it out in December.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – visit here tomorrow to see.

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments: A Tradition of Memories — Day 7

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IMG_3749On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me –

7 Bruins beating Trojans (38-28!),

6 Asian orbs, 5 manger scenes! 4 major awards, 3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

A shameless plug for UCLA? Okay, maybe a little. But even more, today is about celebrating places from our past (schools, cities, work places…) that have molded and influenced us.

The mention of a place can trigger so many memories: of people I love, wisdom I’ve learned, things I’ve done. So when I meet a fellow Bruin (UCLA), a Matador (CSUN), or a Terrier (BU), or someone who has lived in Boston, Orange County, or East Asia, I have an instant connection with them.IMG_3759

College, going overseas for a missions trip, graduate school, and maneuvering through new jobs were times I came into my own.

It’s where I discovered that journalism and writing in general were my passion. It’s where I fell in love with children’s books, like Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings in Boston’s Public Garden. It’s where I met God and His people in profound ways (thank you Cru). And it was during this time that I met my wonderful husband. And the rest, shall we say, is history.

What places bring back good memories for you? More than a vacation (I will cover this later), these are places where you spent significant time. Chances are, not all the memories were good ones, but hopefully something positive came out of even the difficulties. And with hindsight, maybe you can see its significance in your life now.

Personal history is not to be dismissed. When brought up from time to time and seen through a fresh lens, it can actually help direct our future for the better.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – visit here tomorrow to see.