‘Tis the season for gift-giving, and thus the perfect opportunity to examine more closely the oft-used phrase: “The gift of camp.” We hear it from parents, alumni, key staff, and pretty much anyone who has ever been to summer camp. This phrase illustrates how we, as Owegans, are the beneficiaries of a priceless offering. Those who came before us and who possess the wisdom to understand the true value of camp, place this treasured keepsake in our hands and allow us to discover its magic on our own.

Camp is both a literal and metaphorical gift. As we grow and mature summer after summer, we come to understand what a privilege it is to attend Owego, whether for 3 weeks or the full seven. We are the lucky ones whose families send us to Greeley each June for a life-changing experience that many of our peers will never have. Aside from the obvious economic value of camp, there exists an abstract value on which we could never place a price tag. This is the metaphorical gift of camp. The one that lives deep within us and helps mold the kind of person we grow up to become.

Here are just some examples of the “gifts” we receive at camp:

1. The opportunity to disconnect from our electronic devices and connect face-to-face with both our friends as well as the natural world around us. At camp, we communicate with each other in ways that are personally fulfilling and fun!
2. The experience of living with our peers, which teaches us patience, responsibility, tolerance, and empathy. Anyone who has ever shared a bathroom with 13 other boys knows exactly how challenging it can be!
3. A feeling of belonging to an exclusive Brotherhood through songs and rituals, at a time in history when many of us have never felt more isolated and alone. At camp, we throw our arms around one another and become a collective force.
4. A safe space to try new things that we may be hesitant to try at home, for fear of judgement or mockery. At camp, we leave our images at the gate so that we can be whomever we want to be.
5. Connections with peers who are different from us, either culturally, religiously, ethnically, or geographically. The intense connections made at camp serve us well down the road as we encounter differences in the real world.

What’s unique about this list is that all of these “gifts” are experiential rather than material. You won’t find them under the Christmas tree or inside your Hanukkah stocking, but their value lasts long after the holiday wrapping paper is cleaned up off the floor. And they don’t require batteries!

Our holiday “wish lists” don’t typically include life lessons. Camp is the greatest gift because it benefits us in ways that are both obvious and also somewhat invisible. It is the gift that stays with us throughout our lives, and one that we never truly outgrow. This holiday season, when you are opening your presents, take a moment to reflect on how lucky you are to be a recipient of the greatest gift of all.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!