by Mark H. Case, Sr., C.C.D.
Bah, fooey. There's that annoying movie again. How many times
can you watch Jimmy Stewart see that his life has changed others? In
fact, what am I doing here in camping? Am I really doing any good? I
mean, really doing any good or am I just doing a job?
I remember the first time away from home for the week. It was at Camp
Blackhawk on Owassippe Scout Reservation in Michigan for Boy Scouts.
I failed the swim test the first time through. ME! I have been swimming
in pools my whole life, but the lake was strange. I later conquered the
lake and swam a mile that year, literally! Spending time at the nature
center and winning the all camp nature contest for the troop, watching
the bald eagle catch a fish in Big Blue and the campfires . . . those
are some great memories. But, what about my job now? Am I doing any good?
Now, back to that movie. Oh, great, there's Jimmy now getting
ready to jump off the bridge. Maybe the movie will be different this
time. I'll check e-mail . . . eighty-two pieces of spam mail and
fourteen chain mails from family. And one . . . what's this one?
Ben. Ben. Ben . . . . Oh, yeah, I remember him a staff member from about
nine years ago.
Hey, this is great. He just finished his Ph.D. in environmental education.
Good for him. Hmm . . . he is writing about all the time he spent at
camp. The only camp he worked in his life was for me. Now, Ben is going
to be an environmental educator at a big year-round camp program. Now
that's neat. He feels like our camp program has helped him focus
on what he wanted to do with his life.
You know, I got some mail earlier today, maybe I'll check that.
A letter from Cathy. Oh, wow. Great letter. She is a teacher in Charlotte
now. She came from a very abusive background and regarded me as a father
figure. She had heard about my change in venue and was reminiscing about
the camp days and how it helped her become the fantastic teacher she
is today. Camp changed her life.
A card from Moose. Moose was a staff member nearly twelve years ago
now. He was a bouncer at a college bar and chose to try a summer at camp.
It changed his whole outlook. Moose focused his career path on becoming
a school resource officer (SRO). He has become one of the most successful
SRO's in Texas and has won many awards for his work in schools.
He wrote: "It is because of the time I spent at camp with you.
Congratulations on the promotion."
Finally, a letter from a camper: "Mr. Case, I heard that you are
leaving camp. It won't be the same without you. You always had
the neatest, weirdest games for us. I'll miss you. Love Jamie."
When I went to the office, there was a phone message to return from
a Mrs. Jacobson. When I called her, she was saddened to hear about me
leaving the camp as director. She wanted to know the new camp so she
could send her children to the new one. When I told her I was no longer
a director, but in administration over a couple programs, she was excited. "You
mean you can touch that many more kids? Teach them well. I am proud of
the program you built and the one that will be built."
I questioned my need to be a director and changed professions to be
a high school science teacher in January 2007. This week, a young man
came into the room. "Mr. Case, is that really you?" "Yes.
How can I help you?" "It's me Michael. You were the
camp director for me for five years. I learned so much about nature because
of you. I am graduating this year and going to ASU to become a science
teacher because of camp. I heard you were here and could not believe
it. Thank you!"
Jimmy is at the place now where the whole town is coming to his rescue.
More money than necessary, and the telegram comes to give him whatever
he needs . . . .
You know, I just got my angel visit. What I do does make a difference.
Staff members, campers, parents, alumni. Many people remember some of
the small things. I hope that this year, you have your Jimmy Stewart
moment and have someone remind you that you made a difference. I had
mine . . . .
Originally published in the 2007 May/June
issue of Camping Magazine. |
