The Recipe of Camp

If you know anything about Camp in general, (and Celtic in particular), you also know that camp works because of a delicate and magical blend of ingredients. I am not sure that any one person has the recipe for Camp, but I do know that it includes a dash of adventure, a coupla pinches of excitement, maybe a generous sprinkle of independence. I think the mixture requires singing under the stars for no particular reason, and staring into a fire surrounded by people of goodwill. Stir in some apprehension about being away from home, perhaps for the first time, and then some joy from discovering new friends and skills. Let this concoction simmer for a bit, boil for a while, cool briefly, and be re-mixed each summer…and voila…Camp!!!

BUT…and this is a big but!!!

We have a problem people.

I think the recipe is in trouble. I think some unwanted and dangerous additives could really spoil the whole meal. I am not talking about “bad” campers…they frankly are an important and rewarding part of camp. I am not talking about global warming…but if you read this blog very often, you will surely find that we get back to THAT topic! I am not talking about recruiting headaches, or staff deficiencies, or energy costs, or anything like that.

I am talking about the Cell phone. I am talking about Facebook….and Youtube. I am talking about the possibilities that these unwanted ingredients could bring to Camp. And I am scared.

If we start messing with some of the main ingredients of the camp recipe-namely learning independence, and being away from home, and being yourself apart from the pressures of school and friends-then…well, it’s no longer camp.

The fact that you are reading this on Celtic’s new blog, and the fact that this entry is being produced by me, is evidence enough that I am not a total ignoramus…at least in the technical, world-wide-web, information highway sense of the word.

I have come to terms with a little bit of technology. Like my friend, Bird, I once swore that I would never join in on the madness of the computer age. And, like my friend Bird, I have somewhat succumbed! I use the internet to facilitate the accounting needs of Celtic. I occasionally even write and answer emails. I appreciate the convenience of on-line banking, and I enjoy surfing around the sports websites to keep a handle on my favourite teams. I think that it is great that I can manage lots of photos on my computer, and I love having my music collection so close at hand.

However, if camp is to remain camp…if campers are to become campers…if counselors are to remain counselors…then our “connectedness” to the outside world by cell and internet must remain a non-ingredient in the recipe of Celtic.