A good friend recently told a great story about his first encounter with basketball as a young boy. His father had put up a backboard and goal for his oldest son to practice upon. My friend, the younger brother, watched until his older brother was through and in the house before he gave it a try.

Holding the ball in his very young hands, he looked up at the goal “which looked like it was 100 feet in the air.” After standing there for a while and just staring at that far off goal, he noticed his father standing next to him.

“Son, are you ready to take your shot?” his father asked.

“Dad, it’s so far away. There is no way I can make it,” my friend dejectedly responded.

“Son, I didn’t ask you to make the shot. I asked if you were ready to take it.”

My friend went on to explain the beauty and power of studying, preparing, and then taking your shot. There is honor in a well-intentioned attempt. There is much to be learned in simply taking the shot: knowledge, increased skill, and, perhaps above all, independence. These factors combine to form the foundation and fuel for true self-esteem.

All of our first time campers are ‘taking their shot.’ It’s a very big deal to go to camp. For most, a session at Weequahic represents the first time they have been away from the comforts of home.

Surrounded by excited children and engaged staff from all over the country, our campers have the time of their lives while doing things they’d never have a chance to experience at home. They are taking their shot inside a community committed to helping it be a successful attempt. We can’t promise our campers will have fun because we can’t control what they think. We promise, though, if a child decides to take a shot, they’ll go home more knowledgeable, powerful, and independent.

So, here’s to taking the shot. Give it all you’ve got. We can’t wait to help.

Hat Tip to Chuck Hodges.

Cole Kelly, Camp Director

While you may not have heard of George Handel, you most likely have heard his most popular oratorio, Messiah. It’s one of the most popular works in Western choral music and can be found in movies, on the small screen, even in elevators.

Upon the completion of its first performance, a nobleman (Handel worked for King George of England in the 1700’s so he was around a lot of ‘noblemen’) congratulated Handel on “your most noble entertainment.”

Handel replied, “My lord, I should be sorry if I only I entertained them. I wish to make them better.”

That perfectly describes my feelings toward camp. We don’t wish to only entertain, though a summer at Weequahic includes a ton of laughter, excitement, and adventure. We wish our campers, who come to us as interested, excited, and great young people, to leave Weequahic even better.

We spend ten months planning a two month party that should end with kids and families raving about how much fun they’ve had as well as how much they’ve grown. We want our campers to leave more independent, courageous, and patient. We want them to be stronger in the sense of who they are and confident in the joy they can bring to the world. They should leave having learned a few new skills, built some wonderful and lasting friendships, and more secure in who they are.

Because, to me, that is what camp is all about.

Cole Kelly, Camp Director

With thanks to Wikipedia Commons for the Handel photo.