The Yea-Bo Yeller

by BJ Murray

When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.

~Margaret Wheatly

What we're all striving for is authenticity, a spirit-to-spirit connection.

~Oprah Winfrey

Y Camp had a board meeting this week. First, let me say that I love our board. This is not any sort of kiss-up type quote, but instead genuine thanks for what they have done for us and what they continue to do for us. They are truly some of the most intelligent, caring, warm, and passionate people I have ever met. That aside, the opening thought that was shared was completely special to me. It came from a relatively new board member, and she told the story (and I am paraphrasing for space) about seeing a woman at the annual dinner. Throughout the dinner it dawned on her that this woman was a girl that she first met as an adventure guide camper with her father over twenty years ago. Needless to say she was quite surprised and so was this woman who sat across from her. Cool story about connections. All this was not, however, the part of the story that got me. It was when this woman talked about being close with her dad during the camp outings. I think it was only a two sentence mentioning, but in her face you saw what those times meant to her. As a camp professional I think about connections a lot. I feel like that is what camp is all about. And now as a new dad (I have a 20 month old and a six week old) it is especially important. What type of connections are my own kids going to make throughout their lifetimes. It kinda freaks me out really. But, all that said there is no place that I feel like connections can happen more so then at Y Camp. We get to take kids and put them with caring adults, and with other kids and build connections. They get to connect with their pastors and chaperones during retreats, with their cabin mates during the summer, with their leaders during the summer, or with their mothers and fathers during our parent child campouts. How incredible is that. That at this place we are all about that connection. What all of us are truly striving for, what all of us truly want and need we have this place created for that alone. That is what makes Y Camp the closest place to heaven on earth. God himself is about connection. To have a location that develops, encourages, facilitates and celebrates connection is as close to heaven as we can get.

Happy Adventures,

The Yeller