Over the past few months, countless times I have been asked "what will you be doing this summer?". Initially, I would attempt to blurt out a long-winded response about how I would be returning to the camp I had attended for so many years, and would possibly try and explain some aspect of my experience. Slowly I learned that this tactic did not work. My friends would stare back quizzically, sometimes smiling, sometimes with no emotion at all. Few dared to ask more questions, however for the ones who would, I would tell them about my time as a camper, and eventually a counselor. I told them about speedball hobby group, meals in the dining hall, and color war. I would try and try to explain my favorite aspects of camp. It didn’t work. Eventually, my long-winded response evolved into something much more...simple. "Andy, what are you doing this summer?", they might ask; "I’m lucky enough to be able to go back to camp". And that was it.
This will be my 12th summer at Camp Seneca Lake. I was a camper for seven years. My time as a camper culminated in 2008, when I was a senior camper in the village of Tuscarora. I attended CSL in Israel the following summer, and finally began my time as a staff member in 2010. This summer will be particularly unique for me, due to a knee injury that I suffered earlier this fall. The first thought that crossed my mind when I tore my ACL in November was, "will I be able to return to camp?" Fortunately, I am okay. And I could not be more excited to spend my summer with the 49 campers of Tuscarora. I plan on treating the next 8 weeks as a gift, because that is exactly what they are.
I have been waiting for July 30th, 2013 since camp ended last august. Its almost here, let the final countdown begin. Couldn’t be more excited to see you all so soon!
Andy Powers
Tuscarora Counselor
