Shuffling to the boys waterfront, campers and counselors from boys side prepare for one of the greatest traditions at Camp Starlight: the opening boys campfire. The water of the lake slows down steady and the tee pee pile of logs rest next to the beach. All the boys sit huddled around the logs of wood, looking up to see if the night stars have peaked through the clouds resting on the navy and royal blue sky. Listening to the Head Counselor Jason lead cheers and songs, none of the campers have yet to notice the missing Upper Senior boys who have sneaked out to the other side of the Lake while the rest of the camp headed to the waterfront. The Upper Senior boys have secretly descended upon multiple war canoes as coordinated by the director of the camp, David. Silently wading through the still lake water, the canoes carry the Upper Senior boys from one side of the lake to the other, their shadows encroaching further and further to the rest of boys side. The only hint that anyone was moving along the lake was the single lit torch held by camp director David in the front, leading the Upper Seniors across the water.
Once the Upper Seniors land ashore, David begins to light the fire; passing off the lit torch to every Upper Senior as well to take part in lighting the enormous campfire. The campfire requires the spirit of the campers that have spent the most summers here at Starlight, they are the individuals that understand the values of the camp best and have the strength to carry these traditions forward. The fire rages and the flames shoot upward, igniting an electric mood across the waterfront. What makes this fire so powerful is that when every Upper Senior boy reaches the torch into the wood, they announce why they are spending one last summer at camp and what has been their favorite memories at this special place. Many Upper Seniors recount how they wanted one last summer with their brothers behind them or to experience the traditions they have grown to love and cherish Their memories and emotions fuel a powerful fire and inspire all the younger campers, especially the groups from lower camp, to get ready for the summer of a lifetime. The Upper Senior’s tradition enables the younger campers to look forward to experiencing the same amazing time at summer and to create similar memories with their friends. Most importantly of all, this allows for them to eagerly anticipate the day they get to light their own campfire and to feel that same power within them.
A stillness settles on the water, the only vibrations are the domino effect of echoes that beat from striking the canoe, louder and louder and then faster and faster. The echoes call for the moon that has finally peaked through the lilac sky only as a sliver. Whispers are scattered in the sea of campers and staff, all are curious to see the tee-pee style pile of wood light before them, hoping to see the flames dance on one another, the embers floating into the air like angels. It takes more than one individual to light the fire, the ceremony requires a total of six people to symbolize the six pillars Camp Starlight rests on. These six pillars must join together to bring the campfire and traditions of Camp Starlight to life. Before the fire is ignited, the now indigo sky casts a dark shadow over all of the campers but once the smoke rises, the fire roars and the light reflects off every Junior, Inter, Plebe, Deb, Senior and counselor–the fire glowing brightest in their eyes.
Rushing out onto the grass of the flagpole during morning announcements to the sound of college fight songs the entire camp cheers and shouts as we kick off Camp Starlight’s College Leagues! The competitions of camp have begun. Throughout the entirety of camp, all the divisions are separated into four groups within their division: orange for Idaho State University, green for Portland State University, red for Southern Utah University and blue for Montana State University.
Camp Starlight cruised to an easy 44-2 win against Pointelle for the Lower Inter’s first basketball game of the summer. Pointelle brought a great team but was clearly overpowered by Starlight’s Lower Inter group of boys. Ben S. led the way for Starlight with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Finn M. and Caden Z. also added 6 points each. Jared M, Avi K. and Jack K. all added 4 points. 2 points each were scored by Jordan K., Reese M., Gabe M., Asher W. and Matthew S. Zach B. was superb on the defensive end with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Overall, Camp Starlight played spectacularly as they earned their first win of the season.
When I walk around campus I’m surrounded by inspiration and I’m always surprised when more often than not inspiration walks straight up to me. Taking a second to myself to appreciate the sweeping valley of trees, shades of light to dark green portray a gradient of texturized forests. It’s like looking at a landscape painting at the Metropolitan or Art Institute of Chicago, but instead of moving on to the next landscape after a few moments of silent viewing, you are alive for as long as you want inside this painting. In this case I was noticing how the trees follow a wave like pattern in the valley that mirrors the placement of slow rolling puffy clouds in the sky above when an Upper Plebe simply called out to me. “Want to join us?”
Just like many new campers, I step one foot in front, then the other follows along, as I explore the Camp Starlight campus for the very first time as a new counselor. I notice how big and tall the trees are and the dew on the grass soaking through my shoes. Just after a few steps, all my senses come alive–almost awakened. The sunlight shines and lights up all the particles of dust in the air that my presence has kicked up, transforming even the smallest elements of nature into dancing fairies. A celebration of natural life bloomed all around me. The vast open sky above affirmed that this special place holds no bounds for what can happen next, magical or real. Once you arrive at Camp Starlight you realize the idyllic summer that is Camp Starlight, this is where the true blossoming celebration takes place. To pass along through the road is just the beginning to experience the celebration.
On the first day of camp, the overflow of emotions from the bus arrivals don’t settle once the hugs are embraced and each high five has been returned with enthusiasm, this is when the celebration only begins. Fast forward to the unpacking the Camp Starlight gear, sports equipment and precious stuffed animals, the bunks are filled with decorations of old memories, but all returning campers know to leave a large amount of space for the new memories they will make this summer. Since the sun is setting just in time for the stars to peek through the night sky, the opening show is ready to be begin.
For the first time this summer the entire camp gathers in the Rec Hall for the Opening Show and the camp is ready to make their official grand welcome. The lower juniors are excitedly curious to see the show for the first time in the front rows while the seniors happily embrace the nostalgia for seeing the show for the last time in the back. Regardless of age, every camper will stretch their neck, their eyes and even their toes to watch every song and dance–the audience is just as engaged as the performers on stage. It’s as if you feel tiny fairies pull the corner of your cheeks upward in a smile as soon as you enter that rec hall and the chords of the first song is played. A happiness so natural occurs among all the campers and staff it makes you feel so warm on the inside you start to wonder if you’ll melt into a puddle of bliss right there. The cheers are contagious, the laughter spreads and by the end of the show every individual–old and new–is swaying arm and arm with each other, singing the lyrics to songs as if they have been singing at camp their whole lives. The voices join into one glorious union and when you catch a glimpse into a camper’s eyes, you see they have finally come all the way back home at Camp Starlight. The opening show is not just a songs and dances, it’s a homecoming.
Suspense is thickening in the air as all staff gather on the field to welcome the Starlight campers for the summer of 2017. Counselors have been waiting over a week, some two, passing the time with an extensive orientation program that amps up their excitement even more. Pre-Camp workers have been eagerly waiting a month and have passed the time through camp preparation, ensuring Starlight is the most beautiful it can be for their campers. Not to mention that many staff members have been patiently waiting years for the opportunity to inspire and encourage a community of campers, a thrill that all new counselors experience for the first time and an adrenaline rush that all returning counselors are addicted to. All these seconds, hours, days and years have accumulated into this single moment and the electric anticipation is more than tangible, you can reach your hand out into the air and feel how highly charged the atmosphere of camp is on the very tips of your fingers. The buses roll through the gates, park in the untouched grass and the horns on the buses ring out to affirm that the campers are finally here.
The campers burst out of the bus doors and the counselors explode in cheers and celebrating the arrival at their summer home. They will spend the rest of summer sharing stories, eating s’mores, singing classic traditional camp songs and laughing beside at the end of each evening activity. It is a moment that sparkles in your memory when you will think back to this day 1 year or 10 from now. The way the campers sprint to say hello to their old counselors or friends from camp is of the purest joy–it’s all in their wide genuine smiles and an honor to see the world in their eyes.
