Scamp Spirit spring 2022
Dear Aloha 2022, Every year as I watch the snow melt, I am struck by the hum of anticipation and possibility that accompanies spring mornings. As I see the days getting longer and feel the air getting warmer, it seems to me that the world is waking up and preparing for its next chapter. In this way, spring always resonates with me as Aloha’s Director — it is this season when my dreams and plans for the summer ahead truly take shape and feel real. Over the past eight months I’ve been busy working to connect with all of the wonderful people who will make the magic of Aloha happen this year. There have been emails. There have been phone calls. There have, of course, been many Zooms. My fellow Directors and I took to the road to talk about camp in cities all over the country from Boston to Los Angeles, and our journeys were brightened by smiles on both new and familiar faces. As I continue to speak with counselors and campers alike, I can absolutely say that there is an incredible group of people (you among them!) who together will be creating the wonders of Aloha 2022. When I talk with people about camp, of course I talk about the activities, the laughter, and the self-discovery born of challenges met and overcome. That said, I have come to understand that the true transformational power of Aloha lies not in the “stuff” that goes on each day, but rather in all of the different people who come together to form our community. There are a lot of things we share: songs, traditions, and the knowledge that green shorts never get dirty. While there is much that binds us to Aloha and to one another, each one of us is unique, with our own talents, perspectives, and experiences. There is something pretty special that happens when people from such diverse backgrounds gather to create a community, and it’s a cornerstone of the camp experience that we all want to center as we consider our intentions this summer. As my fellow Directors and I spoke about a theme for the upcoming season, we found that we kept coming back to the idea of “Reaching Beyond.” To me, reaching beyond means stepping out of yourself enough to connect with someone who might see or understand the
world differently from the way you do. That connection may challenge you or even make you uncomfortable — and it can be a way to expand your understanding of yourself and the world around you. It may even cause you to embrace a new perspective. Reaching beyond is our ability to take risks and work to create a sense of community outside of our own individual desires and experiences. It’s also one of the most powerful tools we have when it comes to creating a community that nurtures a sense of belonging. Opening Day will be here before we know it, with all of the excitement — and butterflies — that come with any new beginning. As you explore the pages ahead, I hope your anticipation continues to build as mine does, and that you can start to picture yourself on the shores of Lake Morey. Summer’s so close I can feel it, and I am already awestruck by the power of what we will create together. Aloha and love always, Sarah littlefield Director of Aloha