While our six weeks at camp are busy days of serving dozens of kids, supervising 21 young staff people, teaching, scheduling, doing PR with very old school , rural churches, and weekends spent performing locally, somehow it is also a time of family vacation. With Jo half way through college and still needing to do an internship, 2012 may be our last summer when all five of us are here.
We’ve been coming to Baptist Park every summer since 1995. At first we came for a week or two as speakers, then, in 2005 I was offered the directorship. Our kids have truly grown up coming here, and have made lifelong friends. Kristen, who was Naomi’s best friend through elementary school even though they lived 300 miles apart much of the year, is going to be a freshman at Nyack College next fall; The same school where Naomi and Jo are students. Countless counselors, past and present, have visited us in Bridgton over the years, sometimes for a night, sometimes for extended stays as they sought God’s direction for their next move in life.
So, teaching, juggling and ‘directoring’ aside, what has been happening to the Hagerstrom’s at camp this summer? First of all, Naomi has been having a rough time. Last Christmas she was ‘inconclusive’ when tested for mono, but she has never really felt right since. She’s been exhausted, suffering from headaches, and lacking appetite. A recent doctor’s visit up here led to a diagnosis of depression, and perhaps she never had mono at all. What’s been amazing to watch, though, is how she has been pouring herself out into the kids here. Last week especially she had a cabin with several special needs campers, and she loved on those girls like no other counselor here could. In the meantime, she’s gotten on meds for depression, and we’re starting to see our old Naomi back again. I’d forgotten how much she can talk when she’s feeling well!
Throughout all this, she has had the support and love of an amazing boyfriend, David. He is also on staff here, and he treats her like a queen. Not many dads would be so positive about a boy friend, but I’ve seen how he treats her. Besides, I have the power to fire him! (Just kidding… sort of).
Jo is not lifeguarding this summer, but she is our most senior girl counselor. She has been on staff every summer since she was 14. Her creativity is awesome to watch, and she’s a real leader with her peers. College has been so good for her.
Rose will be a camper next week. Up until now, she has been too young for the sessions of camp we’ve had, so she’s been a staff kid. This means she can sleep in but still participate in almost any activity being offered if she so chooses… the best of both worlds! She went to the rock wall yesterday, and, I am told, climbed higher than anyone else. Of course, she assists me in my various performances around camp and on the weekends, too. Her best friend from southern Maine is coming up today to be a camper with her this week.
Sue continues to be ‘camp mom’. This morning she was busy sewing one of our maintenance guy’s pants. Hers is the ear the female staff confides in about boys, parents, school, etc. She is also our arts and crafts lady. Her mom is up from Biddeford for two weeks, and she’s loving watching all the activities attending chapel and lending a hand in the kitchen.
As for me, amongst all the busyness, I find time to play on the 60’ long slip and slide with Rose, swim with Sue, play whiffle ball with the campers, play ping pong with the speakers, and basically play more than most any other 50 year old man I can think of. Yes, it’s busy, but it’s a vacation.