Leadership is a common theme running through the program this summer at Highlands. Andy B. works hard before camp creating the pre-camp program so that our leadership staff can teach our counseling staff much of the same material from year to year, but in a fresh new light. This summer, there’s a focus on what makes a good leader. Not only are we emphasizing it for the staff, but we’re also giving them the tools to pass that knowledge on to their campers.
Yesterday during our Sunday Assembly, we saw leadership in action. A handful of guys defined some of the Highlands Honor Camper Qualities and gave an example of someone in their life that exemplified those qualities.
Casey Zinser spoke about Cleanliness and said, “His mother loved to clean and had taught him to be clean inside and out.”! Pep was Tavenner Smith’s inspiration and he spoke of his father who was always encouraging him to “try everything.” Nick Morgan, one of our camp buglers, called out his friend Charlie Yokom saying Charlie was a picture of Good Fellowship noting that he always had a smile and a “hello” for everyone he met on the path. John Milner talked about how Lois and Ronkow, our Highlands cooks, were examples of Generosity, since they give so much of their time and energy to make sure we always have great food to eat. KC Stanner spoke about how any camper at riflery and archery were examples of Self-Control, since you have to follow the rules in order to keep others safe. Tucker Nienhaus also said any camper who was living the “I’m Third” philosophy was an example of good Camp Spirit. Walker Harrison told a story of how his bunkmate Jack Burney was Dependable during a hiking trip in the Porkies. In a nod to the Army victory during the Track Meet, Drew Lezon said that General Pat Gallagher showed Inititive by charging up the Army and giving motivational speeches throughout the morning. And summing it all up Ian Pratt told about how his counselors Alec Grassi and Tom Lubenow showed strength in Leadership each night during bedtime when they help the guys in cabin 9 set goals they can work on the next day.
Now THAT was motivational. It was awesome to hear the words come from the camper’s mouths. Each of the speakers was from Senior division except for Ian Pratt (who happens to be the great-great grandson of Doc Monilaw!). The boys had to show initiative by volunteering without hesitation at breakfast and I watched as the younger boys listened intently – one could almost see the gears turning in their heads!
Every Sunday Assembly is a great opportunity for boys to reflect on some of the less tangible qualities of a summer at Highlands. It’s a time when they can process the successes they’ve had during the week and consider the goals they’d like to set for the days ahead. And while Assembly is always good, this Sunday was particularly outstanding. Ross gave his annual “I’m Third” speech and then he introduced Colin O’Brien who was on the Illinois State Championship baseball team Oak Park/River Forest high school.
Colin told the great story about his team’s unlikely trip to the championship. He spoke of the outstanding leadership of his coach, and more importantly the leadership and selflessness of the guys on his team.
He said, “Every player, whether they played or not, did what they could to win the game. We put others second, in this case our team. Throughout the season, people got benched for various reasons. But each person who was benched didn’t pout. They didn’t throw a fit. We only cared about the team.”
There are so many reasons I feel lucky to spend my summers at Camp Highlands. But one of the biggest reasons is that I literally get to see the magic manifest here at CH. In my own experience, our son, a 10-year old Cubbie, has had an amazing transformation already this summer. I hear him talking to other kids and it doesn’t sound like him. He sounds like the guys on Senior Row, or like his outstanding counselor and activity counselors. For all my lecturing on being a Worthwhile man, the experiences he has here at Camp, the role models he encounters around every corner are truly defining. And while of course he has a long way to go, I believe these days at Highlands (in the way they’ve shaped Mike and Andy Bachmann) will make our son the best he can be. In the words of another outstanding Highlands leader, Snow Nothdurtf, “How lucky we are.”
And on that note…
i ❤ CH // tracy b.