Well, another family camp has come and gone and the Gershik family is
getting back in the swing of life down at sea level.

With the wet winter weather, camp is awash in flowers -- bright blue
lupines, pink-and-yellow harlequin lupines, pretty little orange
flowers that I didn't have the time to look up the name of on
Google ...

Deer abound, both on the road to the ridge and in the Western area of
camp. The lake is filled with finger-length fish and the bullfrogs
are croaking in all their glory after dark. A few turtles were seen
to poke their round snouts above the surface of the water to snap at
the mosquitoes.

Construction is progressing at the new Arts and Crafts deck; for you
old-timers, the wilderness portion of that old building was relocated
several years ago to a magnificent site near the entrance to camp in
a new building with an old western town facade that just has to be
seen to be believed.

There's a brand new 40-foot climbing wall located on the Girls' Side
of camp, tucked away behind FAWPY grove. They're just putting the
finishing touches on it in time for the main camp season just a few
weeks from now.

A walk down the familiar Pipeline Trail reveals a Tuolumne River
quite out of character from what you'd expect. A long winter and
strong runoff due to warm weather this month has sent a strong flow
of water down to our little section of the waterway, resulting in
standing waves, hydraulics and waterfalls that are breathtaking in
their power. Everywhere in camp you can hear the roar of the Middle
Fork echoing between Lookout Mountain and the Ridge.

That's just the physical state of camp. The staff and supervisors
seem as strong as they've ever been. From food service staff to
maintenance to waterfront and supervisors, everyone seems fresh,
engaged and totally in the job. We noticed fantastic moments of
professionalism all over camp:

- Somone calling out to a lifeguard from the basketball court, only
to be told they would have to come around the fence to talk, since
the waterfront staff could not look away from the pool.

- Kitchen workers monitoring the pace at which (the yummy) food was
being consumed so refills could be provided at the appropriate moment.

- Program staff telekinetically cuing each other with subtle eye
movements that resulted in coordinated changes to programs based on
some new development.

The result (this is someone speaking as a "client" now, rather than
someone who was on staff for years) is a coordinated dance, one that
is beautiful in its complexity and seeming effortless execution.

I'm jealous of the experience my son's going to have during regular
session camp this year, but also incredibly excited for him.

I wish every kid could have the same experience.

Hope to see you all this Sunday at Israel Day in San Francisco!