Dear Camp Huckins,I miss you. I miss skinny dipping in Lake Ossippe at midnight. I miss splash boating to the island and sun-tanning for hours. I miss Indian Council Fire and waking our campers up in the middle of the night for a surprise New Year's Eve Party. I miss celebrating Valentines day in the Summer. I miss falling asleep to the loon calls at night. I miss being forced to take a nap every single day. I miss the pine needles crunching beneath my flip flops. I miss adding blueberries to the blueberry muffin fund. I miss going to breakfast in my pajamas. I miss pancakes for dinner. I miss making home-made rock salt ice cream with 8-year-old's in paper bags. I miss impromptu Madonna themed dance parties. I miss cheering for what state I'm from just because. I miss wearing yellow so maybe, just maybe the sun will come out. I miss trust falls and pontoon boat rides and cake decorating contests on the fourth of July. I miss singing the I-Love-You song just because someone made someone else a craft-shop bracelet. I miss games of round robin tennis and capture the flag. I miss chocolate chip pudding and bug juice. I miss giving your friend a hug because they helped you make your bunk bed. I miss smoky camp fire hair must and sticky smored-fingers. I miss standing on the beach and thinking If Heaven is anything like this place, than I can't wait to go.
Huckins is both the most real and the most magical place I have ever been. On day's like today - when I'm stuck in a corporate office wearing panty hose and lipstick I am gazing out the window longing for bare feet and summer rain storms and trips to bobby sue's ice cream shack and no make up and tangled hair. I am aware that I will never have a better job than working there, but I do think wherever I am my heart and spirit will forever remain on the shores of Lake Ossippe. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Lots of Nellie love (in the Huckins spirit),
Kate
Love. We have the NYC reunion tomorrow, and I cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate. I spent 9 wonderful summers at Huckins, ending as a staff member in the early nineties. Saw your post on the Huckins fb page. It gave me goose bumps. I miss it, too. A truly wonderful place. Thanks for bringing me back.
ReplyDeleteKristin
This just made me tear up! I miss it too and I miss YOU! Love you and Camp Huckins to the moon and back, Boo xox
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!! LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK.
ReplyDeleteI loved this! thanks for sharing...I miss all of that stuff too and can't believe it has been so long since I have been back. makes me so sad. big nellie hugs!
ReplyDeletemake me cry why don't you.
ReplyDeletep.s. i miss button-making on patrol and singing broadway songs and being secretive and winter hats and jcrew and the moon lady and laughing and being in the right place at the right time.
Thank you for this wonderful letter! I went to Huckins in the 80s and missed it too. BUT I have been attending (this is summer #3) Family Camp with my husband and two boys and it is incredible! Relivin' the dream! Huckins is so much the same.
ReplyDeleteI love the squeaky screen door sound, the crackling right before bugle call,the bug juice, and the plastic dining hall plates. And how about that soily, pine needle smell of camp. mmmmm. Have a great day
OMG, I miss ribbons in my ponytail, total eclipse of the heart sing-a-longs, vespers, windsurfing with no sails, bb guns on dirty mattresses, mr sketch scented markers, and making people hand crafted cards because you couldn't sleep during siesta. I miss fighting over sugar cereal in the morning and the smell of pine in the air. I miss flashlights you wear on your head and singing en route everywhere. xoxoxo Huckins, I miss you.
ReplyDeletelove, this. Camp Huckins is timeless....what is was for me more than 30's years ago continues for my daughters and that is what makes it so special. a special experience Nellie girls can share forever. "Remember the times" is what get's us through life off lake Ossipee. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteI saw your post of this on Jess's wall... I LOVE IT! Every day I question if i will ever find a job I loved as much as my "summer" one... Hope you'll be at alumni.
Liz Serio
SOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUUTE!
ReplyDeleteI love you, Camp Nellie Huckins!
YES! THIS! EXACTLY!
ReplyDeletei love this post, kater. i've stayed away from nellie land for a long time being too busy with life and growing up and getting jaded. i think it might be time to slow down and get back in the spirit.
ReplyDeletethanks for posting, this really made my day.
Love this! Thank for making me smile, Kate!
ReplyDeleteI am a current huckins girl, thank you for summing my home in one letter
ReplyDelete