As I moved home this May after graduating college, my house was overflowing with my stuff. I had begun to occupy both of my brothers’ rooms in addition to my own. This was all of a result of a little problem I’ve been realizing about myself: I don’t throw anything away! You may see me on a future episode of “Hoarders”, my weakness: camp memorabilia.
I’ve spent the past few weeks going through every crevice of my room, which has allowed me to reminisce over the past 21 years of my life, but mainly my 11 years at CSL. I have a shoebox in my closet from every summer spent at camp. I’ve saved Casino Night marriage certificates, the tissue paper bouquet from my Tusc ’06 Wegmans banquet, endless paper plate awards (my most shining accomplishments), and even a piece of wood that broke off the dining hall. Don’t worry when I was cleaning out my room, I did not throw any of this away.
One of the more humorous and sweet discoveries I made were two letters written to me from my brother, Josh Sham, circa 2000, a year before my first summer at camp. The messages were as follows:
Dear Elyssa,
I hope you feel better and get better soon. Camps awesome. I heard you want to come next year. See you soon.
Love,
Josh Sham
Dear Elyssa,
We haven’t gone to the waterfront yet because it’s been delayed for orientation. Jason is in my bunk and we’re having fun. My consulers are ok but a little strict. Miss ya.
Love,
Josh Sham
In July 2004, my mom wrote me a letter with the sign off, “Miss you, love you, take care, be safe, say hi to all, write lots, wear sunscreen and bug spray, be wise, much love, lots of kisses- Mom”.
In oldest Seneca, our counselors made us write letters to ourselves and we got them back the following year in Tusc. I wrote, “I hope at the end of this year that I am chosen to speak at the final campfire. I want to show Rachel Kossoff I can be a leader to my peers… I also hope in the future I become Seneca staff and learn what NSP and NGT mean. I hope CSL summers turn out to be the best in my life”
Camp started as a younger sister’s dream for me, and then as a camper I dreamed of leading the camp as an oldest Senecan, and then a Tuscaroran, CIT, counselor, and finally, Tusc counselor.
I am now entering into my 12th summer at camp, and second summer as a counselor in the village of Tuscarora working with my brother Josh.
We’ve come a long way since the days where we described camp as merely “awesome”…
Elyssa Sham
Tuscarora Counselor
