I was dancing in my kitchen with my 2 month old daughter, Anna, last night to get her ready for bed (as I like to do with my 2 little girls). We have our ipod and dock on the kitchen counter and I was thumbing through artists when I came across an album that I haven’t listened to in a long time. I selected it and was instantly transported through time to the mid-1990’s. Before the music ended, I had a tear in my eye. Anna could care less. She was just glad to be bounced!
I often think about past summers and the people I shared them with, but the memories are much more vivid to me when listening to the music that was important to us at that time. I think it is still true today. Each year at the Camp dances, there are those 4 or 5 songs that define that summer. Sometimes they are contemporary songs from the pop charts. Other times they are a more obscure song that starts with 1 or 2 people and spreads like wildfire such as “Wagonwheel” this past summer (Thank you Eric Teitelbaum and Brennan Downey!). Whatever the song, it brings people together. When it comes on, campers and counselors get excited and you see them look at each other for recognition that the song is playing. They don’t want to enjoy the song alone. They want to enjoy it with their friends, either by dancing or singing along. It’s a common bond, something everyone can share together.
So here is my suggestion to you: next time you want to reminisce about your favorite summers at Camp, dust off your record player, 8-track, tape deck, cd player, or ipod (depending on which generation you are from), and listen to the songs that were important to you at Ocky, Matolly, or Stockwell. You’ll be amazed by the feelings and memories it will invoke. It takes you right back to Summer Camp. After that, give your old Camp friends a call, especially if it’s been a while since you last spoke with them.
What was my song? You old heads from the mid-90’s might remember the live Indigo Girls album, “1200 Curfews.” The song “Closer to Fine” took me back to the 4th Session Camp Dance with Keith, Monkey, JK, Kim, Sunshine, Pinger, Billy, Robby, Rick, Jess, Liz, Cindy, Roger, Clueless, Meghan, Wheels, Bobby, Denise, Jeff, Sue, Lori, Jackie, Matt, Mike, Leo, Abbe and Chris, and so many other outstanding people. Everyone got into a big circle with their arms around the people next to them and sang along(probably cried a little bit, too!). Man, Camp is awesome! If you’d like to comment on this blog, please share some of the songs that were important to you at Camp!
Brent Birchler
Boys Camp Director