One of the hardest truths in life is that all good things must come to an end. As I write this final blog of Summer 2026, in the midst of moving my oldest son to college, I’m acknowledging the end of his childhood. Tomorrow, as the buses pull out of camp and turn onto Route 6 for the last time, campers and staff will say goodbye to Owego as another amazing summer comes to an end.

One of the best truths in life is that endings bring about new beginnings. We use the expression, “When one door closes, another one opens” to comfort and encourage people in difficult times. As difficult as it may be to say goodbye tomorrow, we know we’re not really saying goodbye. We’re simply saying, “So long, for now.” For we know that Summer 2027 will come. And we will be together again.

When the 48 days of camp come to an end, the countdown to Summer 2027 begins! Sure, we’ll start counting in the 300’s. But you’ll be amazed at how quickly we reach 250. You’ll blink and it will be March and the 100-day countdown will appear. And then it will be June and Summer 2027 will officially begin!

This summer has been filled with so many memorable moments. Our 4th of July celebration, the Tents’ Costa Rican adventure, the Grand Owegan, Owego Olympics, Scotty’s production of “A Christmas Story,” Senior and Hi-Senior trips, the Mike Hike, Switch Day and Owegoland, the 100 miler, Old-Timers, and Frontier Week — and that’s just the major events! Every Friday night campfire, waterskiing or biking trip, visit to Costas, Canteen day, and evening activity made an indelible mark on us. We have the photographic evidence to show that, and we can begin to look through those photos as soon as we arrive home. The memories never really end. They just become legendary.

As camp comes to a close, we reflect on the changes we experienced as individuals this summer. Maybe we conquered our fear of heights and mastered the Ropes course. Maybe we competed in our first-ever Intercamp game. Maybe we learned how to play Magic the Gathering. All of these achievements and milestones are new beginnings for us. We reached goals we may not have thought possible. When we arrive back at camp for Summer 2027, we will be different campers than we were in 2026. Camp has allowed us to become new, and better, versions of ourselves.

So I will now sign off for the summer, wishing everyone a wonderful new beginning. For some of you, that means starting new schools. For others, it means starting new jobs. For me, it means my oldest child will pave his own path while away at college. Yes, his childhood is ending. No, the dynamic in my house will never be the same. But I choose to view this transition as the beginning of an evolved, enhanced version of the mother-son relationship we’ve always had. I hope that when everybody departs from Owego tomorrow, they dry their tears and begin to look forward to what is still to come. Because Summer 2027 is closer than you think. The countdown begins NOW!