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Brown Ledge Magazine
It is said that change is the one constant in life... Though evolutionary biologists tell us that humans are uniquely capable of adapting to change, they are beginning to question if the current rate of change in the 21st century has outstripped our ability to adapt. What happens when we can’t keep up? We are left feeling disconnected, anxious, and adrift. Most of us feel a certain sense of nostalgia when we think about our camp days. But what is nostalgia, beyond a warm remembrance of an earlier time? We were surprised to read an article that likened nostalgia to a defense mechanism, saying that when we feel nostalgic, we are really feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change. Is it possible that nostalgia is, in part, a longing to slow down? Brown Ledge is a place that celebrates each camper’s ability to choose her own pace, where she is free to decide to join a
hip-hop dance class, swim a mile, or sit with friends in the Adirondack chairs on the Vista overlooking Malletts Bay. We are a place where traditions and rituals guide us, connect us to the past, and give meaning to the present—a place that is simultaneously full of spontaneity and predictability. We take comfort in being part of a community where some change is inevitable and welcomed, while most things stay the same. We hope that this issue of Brown Ledge, the magazine, allows you to take a
moment to slow down, indulge your sense of nostalgia, and savor our world of tradition and connection.
Bill & Kathy Neilsen Directors, Brown Ledge Camp P.S. The postcard inserts are designed for your enjoyment and use. They represent the 1950s to 2016 and they celebrate Brown Ledge’s 90+ year history of continuity and change.
Surreal. That was Merriam-Webster’s 2016 Word of the Year. And while the countless Google searches, hashtags, tweets, and re-tweets carried for many a tone of disbelief and disappointment, I can’t help but sit here on this January 22, 2017 afternoon and reflect upon the beautiful truth of that word as it relates to Brown Ledge. Few people have the privilege to be part of a community that unites its members for a lifetime, creating bonds that surpass gaps in distance, age, and beliefs. That Brown Ledge instills in each of us a sense of true belonging and acceptance—creating an ever-lasting dedication to this sisterhood of fierce females—is absolutely, unequivocally surreal. Oh, and that view of Mt. Mansfield from the sailing dock? Yeah, that’s surreal too.
Robyn Sonis President, Brown Ledge Board of Directors