Camp Green Lane Blog Post June 26th

I climbed a tree today. I drove an ATV. I played soccer and rode a bike.

I should preface all that by telling you I’m 48 and will probably feel all of that over the next several days. But the two saves I made against some serious footballers half my age on the soccer pitch will live forever.

We took Camp Green Lane out for a test drive today. Every division’s counselors went through a normal camp schedule from breakfast through dinner, period 1-6, with an afternoon Snack Squad, too. We played all the sports and tried all the activities.

But we also experienced a little Green Lane magic, too.

This is a special place where magical things happen regularly during a camping season. So, we did all the activities and played all the games today, but that’s not really what camp is about.

Camp is about the little moments that happen organically throughout a CGL day. Moments of laughter and love, moments of sportsmanship and determination, moments of pride and complete joy are what make up the days and nights here. Moments where kids (and their counselors) may get to try something new for the first time, like the 23-year-old counselor in our group who rode a bike for the first time in his life today.

Magic.

Or the other counselor I saw getting a little fancy on the quad course, to the delight of the rest of his group that shouted and applauded from the sidelines in support.

Magic.

Or the other counselor who scored a goal on the soccer field, only to fall face-first when he got tangled in the net. Of course, we all laughed.

And it was magic, too.

Seven years ago, I sat in the same place many of you are sitting right now. The night before sending our oldest to camp for the first time was a total mix of all the feels. I should tell you I’m a life-long camper, I met my wife here and so, we knew exactly the kind of incredible gift we were about to give Molly. She was 6, and we were so excited for her, because we knew what was waiting for her when she stepped off the bus for the first time.

She got off the bus that day alone. But in a matter of moments, she would connect with her summer sisters. Now they are 14. Young ladies. And they’ve never taken another step alone here since that first day.

The butterflies are real. The anxiousness is real. The anticipation has reached its climax. Because you all know on the other end of it is a magical experience.

Tomorrow, a new chapter begins. Year 99 for this incredible place is about to kick off, and none of us—not you, not me, not any of these amazing counselors, supervisors, specialists, heck, even the trees can’t wait. Because tomorrow, Camp Green Lane will come to life for the Summer of 2025.

The fields and activities are ready.

And we’re all ready to make some magic together.

Here’s to the most incredible summer yet.