Sounds of Summer

Sitting on my paddleboard with my legs dangling in the lake, I watched a bald eagle float by, gently circling a spot on the end of the lake no doubt looking for food. As I daydreamed and relaxed, I noticed another noise. It started low, one voice, then two, then in short order the happy shouts and laughter of what looked to be 15 kids burst from the center of Paradise Point—home of Camp Ida Haven. 

They ran and skipped from the center of camp down to the water’s edge, grabbing life vests and stepping into a rainbow collection of canoes and kayaks on the beach. Under the instruction of their counselors, they launched their boats and paddled unevenly towards me and then past me, headed out on whatever adventure the camp had planned for the day. 

I smiled as they passed and felt my heart expand with joy. It looked to me like camp as usual—kids bustling with energy and excitement paddling enthusiastically with their newfound friends on a quest to conquer the world. I couldn’t help but think they were already successful. Just the simple fact they navigated the challenges of a pandemic and came out the other side apparently happy and healthy was a victory worth celebrating. 

I noticed the counselors looked pretty happy, too. They were splashing kids with paddles, giving some instruction on how to move the boats forward, and gently reprimanding the kid who “accidentally” rammed his friend’s canoe. 

As the sound receded into the distance, I stood up and continued my paddle. The wind blew at my back. The bugs and frogs made sweet music. And, in the distance, the best sound of all … the laughter of kids caught up in the moment, removed from worry. It’s the reason camp exists. 

Enjoy your summer and thanks for all you do. 

Till next month…

Rodney J. Auth

Publisher

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