This amazing letter was submitted to the Medford Sun this past week by Kaya McKenna age 9 who is a member at YMCA Camp Ockanickon…I thought it was an amazing piece and wanted to share it with you.
I love summer because I love to swim at the lake at Camp Ockanickon, or as the locals call it, “Ocky.” I get excited on hot sunny summer days when the air is filled with laughter, shrieking and happiness coming from the camp. I can hear them all the way here at my house. I’m thrilled with anticipation of going. I put on my bathing suit, get my towel and I’m ready to go! When I arrive I see my lifeguard buddies, friends and family. I drop everything and bolt to the water. It feels relaxing. My mom calls it, “The lake of shinning waters, ” as she makes her hands like a ripple. As I lay back into the lake water the noises are muffled, but it feels calm and peaceful. I hear voices, laughing, “Marco”…”Polo”….”Marco”….”Polo”….”Marco”….”Polo!”….”I got you!” All of the sudden, my cousin Naomi yells “want to go to the deep end?” My relaxing time has vanished. I race to the ladder and climb up onto the deck. I hold my nose and jump forward, feet first. The family game of tag has begun. Before anyone says that I’m it. I tag them and say “You’re it!”. Time flies by, as the sun sizzles overhead, but there is always a breeze at the lake. I see smiles and happy faces, mine included. This is what I have longed for all winter. Right away my mom yells, “Hey Kaya want to go on a kayak?” and I say “Sure, a day is not complete without kayaking.” I get our of the water, don my life jacket and I’m ready to paddle. I say “Ready Mom!” mom says “OK!” I get into the kayak and mom pushes the kayak out into the water. We synchronize our paddles to the cadence :Right, left, right, left, right, left” until we reach the middle of the lake. Then, we lift our paddles out of the water and we gently glide. I put my hand in the water and it feels slightly cool. Then I take my hand out and hold my mom’s hand and say “Best friends forever” You cannot beat this moment. Summer means “Ocky” and the memories we make. Yes, I love summer. It calls me “Marco”…”Polo”….”Marco”….”Polo”….”Marco”….”Polo!”