Cultural Exchange

As we start each session, it's fun getting acquainted with new campers and old. Some return. Others are here for the first time. These girls are new to Sprucelands this year, and they are terrific.

I marvel at what interesting campers come to Sprucelands. Last session we had our French girl - Manon - who just emailed me that she arrived safely in Paris this morning. Her luggage is lost but she is fine. She was headed for bed!

We are fortunate to have two girls from Canada this session, and in a week we welcome a girl from Spain. One of the Canadian girls is from Quebec. She is here to work on her English.

Camp is a wonderful place to practice English because our campers are so patient. In fact, over the years we have had campers come from Japan, France, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia, all eager to perfect their English. In the end, their being here enriches us all. We are part of their learning process and they participate in ours. We exchange cultures, and quickly realize that a sense of humor is universal. Fun and silliness is wonderfully understood in every language.

Fun and silliness? This is returning campers reconnecting and in the process gathering new friends from near and far into the fold.

I was walking up the road when this bunch emerged singing and laughing. All I needed to do was say, "Make me a picture," and this was the result. I am so blessed.