Ah, October.

It’s that time of year again. Jackets and hoodies re-emerge to combat the chill of the morning air, kids eagerly plan their Halloween costumes, and grocery stores stock pumpkin spice flavored…well, everything.

One of the most eagerly-anticipated features of October is the colorful foliage that begins to peek through summer’s fading greenery. While the changing colors indicate that Summer has officially ended and Winter’s icy chokehold is on its way, October’s leaves can remind us that nothing beautiful comes without change, that transformation is crucial to meaningful growth, and that even when things around us are falling down we can still look up and see good things to come.

The life cycle of a leaf begins in the Spring, when temperatures increase and tiny buds appear on tree branches. Baby leaves seek out the sunlight and begin absorbing water and nutrients sent up from the tree’s roots. In a serendipitous parallel, Owegans begin their camp “life-cycle” as metaphorical budding leaves, growing and evolving from the moment they step foot in Greeley.

In your first summer at camp, you are a “newbie.” You learn the traditions and customs of Owego, but you are still perfecting the words to “Little Red Wagon” and you’re not 100% clear on the rules of Bombardment. Like those budding leaves in Spring, you are gaining independence and figuring out how to thrive on your own. By the end of your first summer, you have bloomed into a full-fledged Owegan.

Leaves continue to grow all Summer long, just as Owegans do throughout their years as campers. Just like fully grown leaves use chlorophyll, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water in the photosynthesis process, in order to receive nourishment, campers accumulate abilities and experiences every summer which contribute to their overall enjoyment of camp. They conquer fears on the Ropes course, learn how to build a fire in Campcraft, and develop decision-making skills at every meal in the Dining Hall. These facets of camp life are the ingredients that inspire campers to return each summer and embrace what it means to be an Owegan.

The leaves begin to change in the Autumn. Cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours turn the leaves red, orange, yellow, and every shade in between. The brilliant colors of fall signal an evolution. While these leaves were once fresh and new, now they are adjusting and transforming as Winter draws near. Similarly, as Owegans approach the conclusion of their tenure at camp, they mature into Tents and serve as leaders for the younger campers. They begin to wear their colors proudly — whether it’s their Tents’ shirts, Old-Timers’ shirts, Owego officials, or the rainbow of Olympics Captains’ shirts and Frontier Week Chiefs’ shirts. It’s a beautiful sight to witness the colors of our oldest campers on display.

Alas, Winter is inevitable. The leaves turn brown and brittle, and fall to the ground. They form a blanket over the Earth, as if to say “We’ll keep you warm until Spring returns.” After the cold and snow and darkness of Winter, Spring always comes back. The buds re-emerge and the life-cycle begins again.

When Owegans finish their Tent summer, they have officially concluded their time as campers. This is not an ending, however, but rather a new beginning. Once their camper days are behind them, Owegans commonly choose to return as Interns, Counselors, Unit Leaders, and even Head Counselors and Directors. In a sort of “rebirth,” their roles at camp evolve into something new and a different type of life-cycle begins. Even those Owegans who move on to internships, year-round careers, and retirement stay connected to camp through alumni reunions, social media, and by passing the torch to their children and grandchildren. Owego is a multi-generational way of life!

So fear not, Owegans, though we are about to enter into the coldest and darkest time of the year, we all can find solace in knowing that Summer 2027 is coming. Just like they do every Spring, the buds will appear on the trees and the camp forms will appear in your inboxes. Sunrise, sunset. For now, you can sit back and enjoy the changing leaves of Autumn and reflect on your memories of Summer 2026. In the blink of an eye, you’ll be looking forward to the re-birth of Spring and, then, miraculously, the arrival of Summer 2027.