Bug juice, canoes, lanyards, s'mores and summers that change lives

It’s true what the movies teach us: One summer is enough for a growing child to meet his or her most authentic self -- and then take a picture on a perfect day. (Courtesy photo)

I often tell people I love my job. It’s true. I do.

What I don’t tell them is I’ve had a better one.

I was a counselor at Mystic Lake YMCA Camp for three summers. Without question, it’s directly responsible for who I am today.

From a Mystic alum’s perspective, there are two distinct groups of people in the world – those who spent summers attending or working at sleep-away camp and will rhapsodize endlessly about it, and those who did not and will look at the former people as if they are a little crazy.

I’m proudly, happily, a little crazy.

As much fun as camp was as a camper, it wasn’t until I became a counselor at the ripe old age of 15 that I truly appreciated the depth of the experience. Spending the entire summer away from home – away from friends, TV and phones – seemed a bit daunting that first summer. How would I survive without that essential trifecta of teendom? But I did survive. And I couldn’t wait to get back up there.

Looking back, the idea that hormonal teenagers were in charge of the safety, growth and entertainment of small packs of children week after week somehow startles me now. And yet, in the thick of it, I remember feeling immensely mature and responsible. (I’m sure our camp program director would beg to differ.)

Mystic Lake, located 15 miles west of Clare, is coming up on its 89th summer serving Lansing-area youth. Earlier this month, the camp hosted an alumni gathering for campers, counselors and their families at Woldumar Nature Center in Lansing. And while it was a great opportunity to hear how camp has grown and changed over the years, the best part for many of us was the very real, instant time-shift that happened, returning us to those special, perfect summers.

We filled in gaps in each other’s memories. We poked fun. We looked at school pictures of the next generation. We updated each other on long-forgotten friends. We hugged – a lot.

I can’t think of another time in life when a season-long experience has been so special, so central to who I’ve become. College shapes lives, sure. Overseas study programs, sports tournaments and class trips can definitely deepen the bonds of friendship.

But there’s something special about being isolated far from home, with people who aren’t part of your day-to-day life. When you’re a teenager, much of your time is spent figuring out how to fit in with the world and people around you. Lots of kids are afraid to let their real personalities shine through for fear of being teased.

Not at camp.

At camp, you meet your most authentic self. You get to embrace your independence and try on new adventures. For many kids, it’s the first time they climb a rock wall, paddle a canoe, make a necklace, sleep under the stars or ride a horse. There’s a real freedom in letting people get to know the real you.

Many people don’t learn how to do that until much later in life. Some never really do. But if you’re lucky enough to spend a summer at camp, it’s thrust upon you in the best way. Want to give your kid a gift that will linger literally decades after you spent your money? Sign him or her up for camp. I can’t think of a better investment in the person that kid will grow up to be.