Photographs say so much at Sprucelands.

No matter what you say, we're forever friends.

I take so many photos during the course of a two week session. I take even more photos across the entire summer. Many of them are filled with fun. Some are throwaways.

What I love are the photos that give me a message or tell me a story, and in my photographer's book of books, even though they may not be the best photo in the world, they convey a message. So to me, they are priceless. I thought I would share a few from this first week of third session.

There's the photo from the first night of camp when everyone was getting acquainted. Many of the kids were new to our craziness here. They were looking for new friendships and desperately wanted to grasp the Sprucelands spirit. The photo above happened during an interactive game.

On the far left is a counselor. There's a counselor-in-training in the middle (CIT) and then there are new campers in the mix. Doesn't matter whether they are new. Somehow there's an immediate sense of trust at Sprucelands, and I love that. The hugs are good for everyone and best of all they are spontaneous.

Hi Mom! I'm having a great time!

Then there are photos of a small camper who is in fact brand new. There was lots of worry at first whether she would be homesick. Some of us on staff wondered whether she would feel lost and alone or whether she would jump right into things and have a ball.

Thankfully the later has happened. She struck up friendships with us all. She's quick, spontaneous, has a sense of humor, keeps up with our schedule, and flashes smiles that are worth a million dollars. This photo certainly let me believe that camp is agreeing with Sarah.

Hi Lily! Where have you been? I couldn't find you.

Sarah has a new friendship with my dog Lily. It's not that this is a particularly special photo. Just wanted to share that there's a unique love relationship going on here that connects the two. I happened to walk out of the camp lodge and Lily was all excited to see Sarah. What fun is this. I think they communicate in 'dog-speak' because sometimes Lily talks to Sarah the same way she talks to me.

I also love group photos. There's the picture of kids listening to directions in evening program. Makes you wonder what is being said or what is on their mind. Just the kind of photo that makes me smile. Thought it might hook a smile in you as well.

Don't you just wonder?

Preoccupations? Perspectives? Hmmm.

There's also the photo of a bunch of kids standing together in a group. It's almost good enough to be the source of a short story or essay. Hmmm. Interactions. Distractions. Jokes between friends. The freedom of fun at summer camp. No stresses. No worries. Thoughts. Peer dynamics. Who knows?

Now sometimes I say to a group, "Make me a picture. Quick. 1-2-3!" And I get wonderful photos like the one with ear to ear smiles that come easy at Sprucelands. Just hanging out together after supper, during interest hour, talking and sharing their day.

Quick picture. Fast friends.

And so this gets us going again on the blog. I took a bit of a break because I needed to ready the trails for today's trail pace. More on that later in another post. This afternoon I slept three hours after marking the trails this morning, and so after my long summer's nap, I am feeling as if my mind is working again. I have so much to share with you. Both staff and campers are keeping me very busy. I'm having trouble keeping up!

Comments always welcome. Share your thoughts with me. Make my day.