I’m not even going to apologize for writing this blog. I was so excited to be going back to Maine for Kesem. I had attended in 2019 and it was their first camp. They did an amazing job then, and they did another amazing job.

There were a couple returning campers, one of whom really touched my heart four years ago. It was so good to see her and how much she’s grown. She’s a full fledged teenager now on the verge of driving. As for her brother he was a shrimp in 2019 and now stands almost six foot tall. I showed him the picture I had on my phone from messy games that year and he was like hey that’s me.

I’ve had a couple people ask if camp is really something the kids always remember. Yes it is and now that it’s in its twenty-third year some of the counselors were kids that attended camp which leads me to a very heartwarming story.

Three siblings parents divorced when they were younger. Their mom was awarded full custody. She ended up getting cancer and passing when they were teenagers. They originally went to live with their father but ended up split up in foster care. Imagine their surprise the following summer when they ran into each other at the same camp Kesem.

At Washington university camp one of the counselors shared her story. Her mom was diagnosed with cancer and went into remission. It came back with a vengeance and her mom passed when she was 15-16. All of her camp friends came to the funeral to support her. This is what I consider Kesem magic.

This week the kids painted rocks and almost everyone forgot theirs. In our neighborhood a neighbor has a rock dragon.

One of the counselors name was pants. I asked her if there was a meaning behind her name. She said nope just came up with pants and now everyone calls her that, including her bosses. She was a lot of fun and very good with the little kids. Here is her rock.

So I asked her if she wanted it. She said she did until I told her about the rock dragon and then told me to add it to the tail. So yesterday Charlie and I walked down the hill in 100 degree heat to add the kesem rocks to it. Now a little part of Maine is in Arnold.

One of my favorite parts about Kesem, is the paper plate awards. I find it interesting how I am seen in the eyes of others. I must admit they are usually spot on. Here are two of my favorites, one from Wash U and the other from Maine.

I was talking with the program coordinator about next year and I said I really need to win the lottery. She replied with “you should let us pay you.” I said “oh the money is not the issue, it’s the time off of work.” However I have felt called to do camp since I started attending Big Stuf with my church, if I’m meant to be there God will find a way. I know the reason I was able to attend Maine this year. I helped someone in a way that only Nurse Red could. And I made another young person friend.

Mole Moral~ As the sign says in the camp dining hall

We are born

Not for ourselves

But to help others