Close Your Eyes And Dream of Camp
by Ian Denson
As winter sluggishly creeps along, bringing with it frigid temperatures, sloppy precipitation, bare trees, and what seems like endless darkness, it can be easy to fall into a depressing routine of inactivity. With the proper mindset, however, winter’s icy grip can begin to melt away, replaced by thoughts of warmth, sunshine, blooming flowers, and energy…And nothing embodies positivity and action more than camp! Park Shore is a warm mug of hot cocoa, a steaming bowl of your mother’s homemade chicken noodle soup. Just thinking of it can turn the coldest and darkest of days into a rainbow of hope for what’s to come.
Nothing warms me more than thinking of what I will see this summer, my third at Park Shore. Endless smiles, children of all ages running, creating, climbing, thinking, building lifelong friendships, teamwork, the blue and orange… My eyes miss these scenes, but it is comforting and exciting to know that in a few short months, these will be daily visions. The darkness begins to fade…
And oh the summer smells… fresh cut grass, blossoming flowers, chlorine, chicken fries cooking in the kitchen, fresh baked desserts from baking and cooking. My nose yearns for these scents, but I know that soon enough, I will smell them once again. The ice begins to melt…
Next come Park Shore’s sounds. Unmistakable, undeniable sounds…the laughter, the splashing, the singing, DJ Remy’s blasting music, Mike’s megaphone, blue jays chirping, RC cars speeding, the whistles blowing, the balls bouncing, the crack of the bat, the cheering for one another. My ears have grown accustomed to the crunching leaves and howling winds, but soon enough, sounds of nature and joy will fill my head. Gray skies begin to turn blue…
I cannot forget the tastes… The sweet tastes of victory after a hard-fought color war, and of Rice Krispies Treats and Puppy Chow. Of hot lunch- hamburgers, pizza, baked ziti, and did I mention… the chicken fries!? Flowers begin to bloom…
Last comes the feeling, the feeling that you could only know if you spend a day at Park Shore. It is a feeling of belonging, and of success. It is a feeling of warmth and friendship. It is this feeling that gets me through the winter…
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