Bittersweet Feeling
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
TIPI CIRCLE circa 5:30pm—The sun hovers just behind the top of the canopy, treating our closing staff meeting to a pleasant arrangement of shade. The sounds of reveling children has given away to the spooky post-session quietness, allowing the woosh of cars traveling the 101 to carry over Ten Mile Creek into our sequestered facility. Among the 80-odd counselors gathered at the Tipi Circle benches, there is a distinct feeling of relief, having safely returned all the campers to their grown-ups. There is also a certain emotional whiplash that comes with releasing such precious cargo.
“Session D and Summer 2025 are in the bag, folks,” says Director Ginger Jackson-Gleich to a strong burst of applause. “I want to start this circle with some appreciations, starting with people who stepped into new roles this year.”
She methodically reads through a prepared list of honorees, pausing for applause that the staff give each other generously. Coordinators, nurses, department heads, bloggers—the list goes on.
“I’d like to also give a special shout-out to the all-summer management team,” she concludes. “The metaphor is sleeping with your walkie-talkie on twenty-four seven. You all have such complimentary strengths; there isn’t any group I would rather have to help run this ship. Y’all rock.”
Ginger turns the show over to Super Duper [see: head supervisor] Jack Crawford who begins explaining the various logistics of the rest of the day. As she speaks, I can’t help but marvel at the circle of faces gathered here, people who have been here twenty years or more, people who just joined our team this summer, and everyone in between. This project has always been about people coming together to create a more peaceful and joyous way of life. Looking around the circle, I see a dedicated crew of people who made that true once again for our 51st summer, and I feel an immense sense of pride to be counted in their number.
Earlier today I spent some time loitering around the merch table to hear some parents’ opinions about today’s ‘Little Big Show’, and a few closing remarks from staff.
“It feels good to be back at Camp,” said Paula from Willits, who worked several summers around the turn of the century. “That’s actually how I met Logan.”
“Yep I was here in the nineties, doing unicycling tricks and riding on the plateau,” said Logan from Willits. “The songs are totally different from when I was here. There’s like a full band now. Very rockin’!”
“Just the clown-tabulousness of it all,” said Rita from the East Bay. “I give it ten-hundred stars out of ten!”
“I actually read the blog every day,” said Francie from American Canyon. “A little bit of humor and a lot of whimsy—that should be your new tag-line. Seeing my two boys do a juggling act together, that made my heart go, ‘Weeeeeeee!’”
“That song by the young songwriter was so beautiful,” said Jamedra from Oakland. “It was somber yet joyful, a real bittersweet feeling. It made me happy to see a young person bravely expressing themselves.”
“Check-out has been flowing smoothly,” said Operations Manager Angel Herrera. “We got a little doodle competition going on, and I think we all won. It’s interesting putting parent faces to these kids; It’s not always way you expect. I hope everyone has a safe journey home!”
“It was a heck of a summer,” said Office Assistant Elena Soloner. “The kids came, magic happened, and we’re already looking forward to next year! I would say I read one thousand emails this summer, easy.”
“Dusty, crusty, musty, and toward the fun!” said Teen Staff Jojo. “My advice for Camp is baby wipes, project your voice, and have no fear.”
“The Paul Simon tune really hit it out of the park,” said Camp Founder Jahanara Romney.
“It was rocking our socks,” added her husband and Camp Founder Wavy Gravy.
“See you next summer, knuckleheads!” said Director Ginger Jackson Gleich. “I stole that one from Wavy. He won’t mind, right?”
Thank you everyone for reading along this session! Have a safe journey home and, as always,
Stay hydrated,
—J. Payseno, Editor
