1989... Thirty Years Ago... The Jened Experience

30 years ago.

As I prepare this morning for another week at the Oklahoma Youth Leadership Forum, I make sure I’ve packed the memories of 30 years ago at Camp Jened.  Thirty years ago, this summer (1989 for those who dislike math as much as me), was as one of the best summers of my life. 

Thirty years ago, during the fall semester of college, I had switched my major to Special Education. As the school year progressed, I wanted to do something different and yet I still wanted to work at summer camp. My college hosted a “Camp Fair,” and invited summer camps from the US to our campus to recruit camp counselors. There were a few that attracted me. I remember one that offered air conditioning in their cabins.  I visited with a few of the camps there, especially Camp Jened in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The Camp Director, Gary Baker, was there personally.  We visited for a while and the more he talked, the more intrigued I became. I did have to cut our conversation short due to a class, but told him I’d be back. After class I returned to the camp fair.  Gary had stepped out for a bit so I wandered the room, getting information from other camps. As soon as Gary was back, I ended back at his table. Our conversation continued, I suppose, though I can’t remember all that we talked about.  I’m sure it was about the camp and why I wanted to work there.

I completed the application and after a couple of weeks heard back from Gary, offering me a summer camp counselor position!  I was going to go work in New York State for the entire summer! Rock Hill, New York...12775 to be exact.  I couldn’t believe it and I was so excited...and so nervous.   I worked to complete the necessary paperwork, get my clothes and things I would take for a summer…a summer that turns out, changed my life in so many ways.

I remember sitting on the plane wondering what I had gotten into.  I’d just changed my major to Special Education and here I was, heading to work as a camp counselor for adults with disabilities. I didn’t know then how much the “campers” would be my counselor, teacher, and friend. 

The camp staff arrived before the campers...I think about 4 days before.  The administrative staff had oriented us to camp, learning camp policies and procedures as well as techniques to help us do our job.  We were to support our campers in every aspect they would / could need. We learned how to help them activities and their activities for daily living. I still remember learning what "white winging" was...  Gary, I think, came into the dining hall where counselors were gathered. He asked for about 6 volunteers to go white winging.  The group I was sitting with raised our hands.  We were soon given trash bags and instructed to pick up trash outside! 

My living cabin (where I would sleep) was Cabin A and I the working cabin I was assigned was Cabin E (Erie).  My first summer the cabin leader and counselors working in Cabin E stayed put, so Cabin E was my home for the summer.  Camp is weird... the days can be so long... but at the end of the summer, when it's time to say good bye, it seems like you just arrived.  This first summer and five summers after were filled with so many learning experiences, sharing, connecting and making friends... Friends who were also a part of the camp staff, but also the campers. They were my friends, mentors, and teachers. 

To those I had an opportunity to work with, whether camp staff or camper, thank you. Thank you for being there in some trying times. Times that scared the living stuff out of me.  Thank you for the good, no great times. I think even those trying times were great times.  

Perhaps I'll write about different experiences from Camp Jened... 

The following photos are 5 of the 6 group photos taken.  Even though the last summer's photo is missing, it's not forgotten in my heart.