Dear Blue Lake,

It's hard to believe that I won't be seeing you again this summer. For the past 5 years, you have been my home away from home, the one place where I truly felt like I belonged. My heart hurts because of all the things I'll be missing out on this year. The sun rising through the trees of Manistee National forest, the feeling of joy when singing the dinner song with my fellow campers, going to bed with a sense of accomplishment and waking up every day knowing that I'm going to be doing something I love. I can't imagine a better way to spend my summer.

This isn't to say that we didn't have our problems. For example, the 6am wakeup call in the middle of July, walking miles through the sand to and from the Back 40 every day, and missing out on rec time because of the International Presentation aren't my fondest memories... And don't even get me started on the food in Marek! Bagged burritos still haunt my nightmares.

However, the people who inhabit Blue Lake during the summer make up for the worst parts of camp. My instructors are truly some of the best teachers I've ever had. They always pushed me to do my best by picking challenging repertoire, giving suggestions and tips on how to make me a better musician and artist, and respecting us as equals. I learned so much from them, and I hope that someday, I will be as great of a teacher as they are.

Blue Lake counselors are some of the most supportive and silliest people I have ever met, and their dedication to their jobs and campers lasts so much longer than the summer. My counselors have been there for me through thick and thin, whether it be that time I broke my braces on some sour patch kids, the time my cat died two weeks before camp began, or when I was freaking out about attending college and not feeling prepared to be an adult. I aspire to be just like them someday, they are truly amazing.

Words cannot express my love for my fellow campers. Their acceptance of others and friendship are part of what makes Blue Lake the place it is. I know that no matter who I am, and no matter what I do, they will be there for me. Some of my best friends were people I met at Blue Lake, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I feel as though a part of me is missing because I am not attending Blue Lake this summer. So much of the person I am today comes from the summers I spent at camp. So even though this "punk rock" kid won't be with you this summer, know that my blood will always run blue, and that you'll be in my heart... always.

Love Always,

Brigid