I started the day by going to the Golden Dolphin for breakfast by myself. During the day, I said goodbye to all the kids. Once dismissal was over, I did my best to say goodbye to everybody on staff. All the kind words from everybody else meant so much. I ended by taking a lap around camp by myself. I started in the office and said goodbye to the picture of Brother Robert. He meant so much to so many of us. Then I walked past the baseball field to the pools. From there I walked down to boating and saw Centerport Harbor one last time. The last place I stopped was the basketball courts, the site of many great games of knockout, staff games, and hours of me working on my free throw shooting. I'm not going to lie, it suddenly got very dusty at several points during my lap.
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| Centerport Harbor in all its glory |
So there are many people that I need to thank. I'll start with everybody who made this last year special. As I have said, most of my best friends from camp left long before I did, but many people made this a great last summer. There were fun wing nights and I like to think we had some good times with our basketball team, despite our lack of success. It was fun winning my second straight baggo championship with David. There were some people, such as Duncan, that I've known for a while, that I was able to get to know better. Others I didn't even know before this summer. I don't think I ever had a conversation with Mike before this year, but it was great getting to know him. He took me sailing for the first time in my camp career (it only took until my second to last day at camp to go sailing). I was able to develop some great relationships this summer and I hope those will continue.
Thank you to my counselors. They might have been my most entertaining group of counselors, which is saying something since I once had Kevin and Ben at the same time. I like the fact that I got to finish with Tom and Rob, two of my first campers ever, as two of my counselors. I've also known James, Liz, and Erin forever. It's amazing to see how everybody has grown up and become great staff members at camp. I haven't known Max, Kaitlyn, and Caity as long, but they were also outstanding this summer.
I also had my honorary counselors, who all happened to be Oneida counselors. I didn't really know Connor well before this summer, but I had a lot of fun playing/coaching basketball and talking with him this summer (even though he disappointed me by never coming to wing night). Pat was one of the few good things about my year with the Senecas, and I've always enjoyed talking with him since then. Samantha comes from one of my favorite camp families ever, but sadly she was the only one left from that family this summer. Victoria always wanted to come to my meetings and hear my quote of the week.
So thank you again to those people and many others as well, but I want to especially thank some great friends from years past.
First thanks to my brothers for bringing me to camp. I remember not being sure if I wanted to work there in 2000, but I went because of them and it was one of the best decisions of my life. But of course, I knew them long before camp, so I want to focus on a few others:
Pete, I knew you from Model UN in high school, but I think it's safe to say that we wouldn't still be friends today if not for our time together at camp. We had some great times working precamp and in the office together (I remember throwing lawnmowers and counting ribbons for no reason). It's always great hanging out with you when you're in the USA, but I'm very happy for all the good things that are happening for you in England right now. It made me very sad to throw my rake down one last time today (most people won't get that, but I'm sure you do).
Darryl, there aren't many people I admire more than you. Your love for this wonderful country has led you to do great things. You don't deserve any of the tough things that you've had to deal with the last few years. One of my favorite camp party memories was when you and Pete got everybody quiet with the hands up mouths closed routine and then said a prayer in somebody else's voice (I'm sure you remember who I'm talking about) as you were about to win a game of beer pong, but then, of course, the other team came back to beat you guys. I've missed you since you've joined the military, but I think you're doing the right thing and that you have a great future ahead of you.
John and Vinny, I have to talk about you guys together. You've welcomed me into your home so many times and referred to me as your cousin and/or brother at times. One of the first camp parties I went to was 80s at the Mulladys in 2003 (really really hard to believe that was almost 10 years ago) and most of the best camp parties I went to were at your house. John, I always love going to baseball games with you at Yankee Stadium Fenway Park, or anywhere else. You and Darryl are definitely the two funniest people I know from camp. Vin, we went through a lot together. We competed against each other in 2004 (when everybody thought we had made a bet, I hope you're the only person who remembers what I'm talking about). And then we teamed together in 2006 as the greatest beer pong team in camp history. There was the legendary night that we went 10-0 at John's apartment and then there was the night we were denied our rightful beer pong championship (probably the biggest sports travesty since the 1972 Olympics gold medal basketball game). And of course, in 2005 we had the Dodger. I came every single night that you guys worked there. That summer couldn't be beat. John, congrats on the upcoming birth of your first child. I'm sure you'll be a great father.
Molly, I feel like when didn't really know each other well until the end of your time at camp, but you've been a great friend since then. I think maybe our 2008 trip up to Boston for John's Christmas party solidified our friendship. I always enjoyed Golden Dolphin breakfasts with you, John, Darryl, and/or Pete (sometimes others as well, but Vinny would never get up early enough to make it). It's always good seeing you again when you're out on Long Island.
Anna, it's been a long time since I've seen you, but I'm glad we've stayed in touch. You're one of the best people that I can go to for advice. I remember that spring that you, BL, and I worked in the office. Thanks for putting up with us. Congratulations on the birth of your second child!
Bobby, I'm sorry you weren't there with me this summer. Every year after about 2005, I always felt like all my friends were leaving. Once Molly left, all the people that I mentioned above were gone. That's when I developed a friendship with you. Before that, I wouldn't say I had the best relationship with the boating staff. There was our Alvernian article feud back in 2005 and 2006 (but that was mostly me and Terrence). John and the boating staff had their feud in 2006 and of course I'm friends with John (I wasn't one of John's henchman, but I guess I sided with him). But last year I considered myself an honorary boating staff member. I loved working with you guys at a couple of those events outside of camp. I don't know what these last few years would have been like without you. We had plenty of good times at camp and outside as well. I hope there are more to come.
I'll never forget my time at camp. It's hard to believe it's over now. I hope those of you that will still be there will enjoy the opportunity you have for some amazing summers with some great people. Today was a very tough day, but I'll always be thankful for the good people that became a part of my life because of camp. Thank you, everybody.
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