Our Director
Marnie and Girls
NOW, THAT FEELS LIKE CAMP!
As I write this letter, I am sitting in my cozy Kiniya office surrounded by 135 acres of 2 foot deep snow. There isn’t a breath of wind in the air; it is perfectly still. Although the clock says it is only 4:30 in the afternoon it’s getting dark and, without the foliage on the trees, I can see the sun setting over the lake as clearly as if I were on the back deck of the Dining Hall.
In every physical respect, I am at Camp.
I know I am because I drove down Camp Kiniya Road this morning. I know I am because I am surrounded by my favorite photos of summers past, my shelves are lined with folders titled ‘Summer 2010’, and my master key (the one labeled ‘CAMP’) unlocked my door this morning. I know I am because my favorite treasure, the 1944 Kiniya brochure, is on my bookshelf and the letter I received from one of my campers recently is pinned to my corkboard. I know I am because the mail came and on the front of each and every envelope was Camp’s address, ending in 0-5446!
Yes, I am in the right place… Why doesn’t it feel so?
Play back two days ago. Kat and I drove down to NYC for an Alumnae gathering. The event was at 7pm at night and the roads were bustling with yellow cabs. Our gathering was held in the home of a Dudley friend and the ambiance was perfect. Soft music was playing in the background; the décor was so very warm and inviting.
Except for the Dudley belt I was wearing under my jacket, there was not a single physical object that belonged at Camp, reminded me of camp, or even smelled of camp. And yet, here in early February, in the middle of New York City, with yellow cabs lining the streets below, and soft music playing in the background, I felt more at Camp than I am sitting in my cozy little office today.
Why so?
After spending 17 summers at Kiniya, I am a firm believer in the fact that, at the end of each season, we pack our bags and we take our personal belongings and camp home with us. We bring it with us as we re-enter our school and work lives. We carry it along to our family celebrations and at night it lays to rest spread out across the world in thousands of different living rooms.
On Tuesday night, in New York City 50 people gathered because of the impact Camp has had on each of them. Men and women alike had brought with them their feelings for, and memories of Camp. The room was aglow with Dudley & Kiniya spirit and we were connected.
That’s it!
Not unlike each one of our reunion gatherings, the moment we come back together with camp friends, the room is immediately transformed into Camp. So, just because you are not physically at Camp, it doesn’t mean you are no longer connected to it. Camp creates connections that extend through generations and across cultures. And it’s these same connections that have strengthened our community over the years.
For today though, as I reflect on how fortunate we all are to be part of such a connected community, I pull that 1944 brochure of the shelf and, looking for Camp, I turn to my favorite page. As stated, it reads:
‘Life at Kiniya is expressed by its Indian name which means “to give new life to” “to recreate.” Kiniya aims to bring to each of its girls physical, mental and spiritual refreshment. Under the influence of the Kiniya Spirit true values are learned and friendship, reverance, service and loyalty become living ideals. The atmosphere is as simple as the place is peaceful and beautiful.’
Aah.. I found it… Now, THAT feels like Camp!
See you this summer!
Sincerely,
Marnie McDonagh, #20001
Camp Director
