Summer time

When I think of my favorite memories of summer I always think of Summer camp and Summer camp to me is Camp M-K-Y.  Yes  went to Summer camp (Camp Willow Lake) when I was like 8 but those are not the memories I have the most fond thoughts of.  I think about the 4 summers spent at Camp M-K-Y and I loved everything about it.  I was a CIT- Counselor in Training and even though I was "working", I loved everything about it.  Those were the best times and a time for 1st: the first staff ever for the camp; first girlfriend, 1st girlfriend drama, 1st make out sessions, 1st nickname "Batman" 

 

I loved the camp because I just enjoyed doing all the activities a camper would and at the same time I got to be around some great and fun people.  The camp was located in Bear Mountain, NY and it had a huge lake.  It was so beautiful- driving on the bus heading towards the camp and we would get to this point where the sun would be rising between the mountains and the whole bus would just be quiet to enjoy the view.- that and I asked them for a moment of silence.   

 

Ever Summer I would get to go to sleep there for a week at a time and would do it about once or twice a summer.  It was fun. It was what Summer camp should be. I was out in nature and enjoying life.  I liked the freedom I had since I was not a camper but at the same time I felt like an adult since I was considered "staff" at age 13 (gotta love the child labor laws) - which meant I had lunch duty and did setup and clean up, but I also got to do the nature walks and free swim in the Lake as well as all the activates the groups did. 

 

My Mom would joke about the place because she said I was always dating someone or liking someone new.  She would tell me we would change relationships with each other like socks. One week I liked one girl the next I was dating another.  I dated a bunch of girls there and fell in "love" with some in my time.  I met one of my best friends at the camp.  I have known her since she was 11 years old. 

 

I really wanted to work there for my senior year of high school.  I would have been a Junior counselor and it would have been great.  Since I moved to FL it changed things and I was starting college. 

 

I will always remember Camp M-K-Y- especially since I still have and drink out of the plastic beer mug I was given in '89.  Here is to you Camp M-K-Y and the Good Times you have given to me!