I’ve always been rather nostalgic for “the Olden Days.” I like to watch old movies (especially John Wayne films!), I like being away from civilization when I get a chance, and I love talking to old men. They have the best stories about the way things used to be! It seems like things move a lot faster today then they used to and we sometimes forget what is most important about being a good person: doing the right thing even when it is not an easy thing to do. It is even difficult to teach this at Camp when we are competing with other “role models” like professional athletes who get in the news for throwing their helmet at an umpire over a bad call, a movie star who has wrecked another car and is back in rehab, or a reality T.V. star whose disgusting behavior is what made them a star in the first place. Maybe we should look back to “the Olden Days” when a person’s reputation was built on their character and work ethic. This is what Camps were founded on in the first place. I just came across this passage in the Michael Eisner book, “Camp.” It’s been a few years since I read it and it came as I nice reminder about why our job is so important. From “the Olden Days:”
AN IDEAL CAMPER MUST
Be honest and loyal
Be a fair winner and a good loser
Be modest
Enter into all activities
Always be willing to help
Avoid crabbing
Take his medicine when he deserves it
Have a clean sense of humor
Be a good mixer
Be clean in speech and habits
Be a leader
Be a good tripper
Be broad-minded
Be willing to help the other fellow
-Keewaydin Council-
Brent Birchler
Boys Camp Director