When I was a child I never got to go to summer camp. I read books in which children my age went to summer camp, but I never got to go. I used to play by myself in my backyard, with imaginary friends, having a great time at an imaginary summer camp. Today, looking back, I can see how these hours whiled away developed the writer in me. I spent a lot of time in worlds that only existed in my mind, making up stories and characters and interacting with them.
Summers between my college years, I finally did get to go to summer camp, but not as a camper. I spent two summers as a camp counselor and one as a unit director for five year olds at Camp Sandy Cove in Maryland. While this was fun, and one of the best learning experiences that prepared me for my teaching career, I still never got to be that “camper” I dreamed about as a child.
Now, as a grown-up, my dream finally comes true. This will be my third Cape Cod Writers Conference. It’s a week long “summer camp” for writers. 200 like-minded people taking courses, hearing some great inspirational speakers, and commiserating over lunches and dinners at the Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis. This year I’m taking Writing for Children all five days and Finding Agents and Publishers for two days. I also get to work the registration desk for a couple of the afternoons and have a writer friend from off-cape staying at my house.
I’m up early and ready to get started on my week. Bag packed with snacks, water, pens, pencils and paper, I can’t wait to meet my teacher and see what the first course is going to be about. I feel nine instead of fifty-nine. That inner-child is ever-present and still requires nurturing.
I believe we all have an inner-child that lives within and cries to ride a bike, swing on swing, slide down a huge slide, swim, camp, and play. Taking time to pay attention to that inner-child is one of the best stress relievers ever in our grown-up lives. Before the summer’s over, take some time to get in touch with that child you remember, and still lives within.
And so, as another day goes by, let summer camp 2012 begin, and….I have written.
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