In the cold of winter, it’s sometimes hard to conjure up those warm and sunny feelings of the days on the beautiful grounds of Camp Starlight. Growing up as a camper at Camp Starlight, this time of year would always bring with it a special excitement for me and my camp friends. Camp Starlight Reunion was almost here! With the New Year right, I realized that before I knew it, I would be back with my summer family!

There is something about spending time with the most amazing people you know that makes time stop. How do seven short weeks seem like a lifetime, almost the same way that an afternoon in cold January seems like forever? There is always such an amazing buildup to the reunion, including planning sleepovers with your bunkmates, and getting back in the camp mode.

My bunkmates and I had traditions starting from our first pre-camp reunion sleepover in 2001. We would sleep at my house and in the morning, my dad would make us French toast. It was a new tradition that added to our endless list of summer traditions. We would always reflect on the past summer, and make plans for the summer to come. There is nothing better than being with your camp friends. The reunions every January were just a taste of the summer to come, and who doesn’t love getting some new, amazing Starlight  gear at the end of the day!The idea of our winter lives being shared summer family  is exciting, and when you are with camp friends, it always feels right!

Julia W.