Volume 62 - Number 2 - Friday, August 17, 2001
Reflections |
Dedication Speech |
White Speech |
Green Speech |
Although there have been many changes and improvements to the physical plant of camp throughout these 40 years, the philosophy of Camp Shohola remains constant. The mission of Camp Shohola is to "allow boys to grow as individuals and to expand their boundaries and knowledge". My brothers and I certainly accomplished that goal. We peppered the camp with tree houses and forts; created wood , silver and craft masterpieces; (at least according to our parents), and helped Mr. Baker and the maintenance staff build many of the camp buildings and structures. We learned skills here that have molded our lives and professions.
I first came to Shohola in the 1950's with my brothers Philip and David and my sister Andrea attended Camp Netimus. Both of my cousins, Ted and Rob Wiedemann, attended Shohola as well as my Uncle Jock Whitehouse who worked here for many years. We learned of Shohola through a friendship of my Grandparents with Pop and Helen Barger (Kit's parents) as we lived just down the road at Twin Lakes in Shohola Township. There are many warm memories of camp during those early years. One of the most memorable was the summer of 1959. Under the guidance of Stan Samenow who was my counselor in cabin 6 that summer , we were challenged and encouraged to work together as a team and respect the differences of others. Most of the boys stayed together year after year until we were seniors and many of us were "S" winners. Stan was also the counselor advisor for the "ARGUS" and influenced my interest in that area. Years later, I was a counselor for his sons, Charlie and Jason and still later Jason was a counselor for one of my boys. One other major influence in my life at camp was Bob Gillespie. His easy going nature and friendly smile were infectious. His presence was certainly missed this year.
The CommTech program began in 1972 in cabin 10. With just three activities; Radio, Amateur Radio and Electronics the program quickly outgrew the cabin and moved to the back of the Nature, Indian Lore and Camp Craft building. As the years progressed , the popularity of those activities decreased while the popularity of the CommTech activities increased allowing us to move into the "Green House". With the recent addition to the building, we have been able to expand our program by adding additional space, equipment and opportunities. The 2001 summer season has been one of the most popular summers for CommTech activities. Every boy in camp is involved in our activities in some way, even if it is just to send e-mail.
The CommTech staff certainly contributes toward the goal of Camp Shohola by allowing boys to gain enriching qualities and intellectual curiosity. Many boys, enlightened by an interest in electronics and communication sparked at Camp Shohola, have shared success stories similar to Andy Silverman who is the founder and president of a world wide communications company.
This has been a great summer for the CommTech program.. With the support of the senior staff and superb counseling staff, the boys in our activities have learned and improved greatly while having fun.
At the beginning of camp when I was voted to be a captain of the white team I wasn't really sure I wanted to be a captain. It seemed like a lot of work and responsibility. I was at camp to have fun not work a lot. After looking back on the whole summer I think being the white captain was the best part of my summer here at camp. I don't think anything was as fun and exciting as being the captain of white. All the fun I had was great, but being captain also left me with some great memories for me to take away from the experience.
The clearest important memory I have is from the Olympics first month. Spanky had already led the green team down the hill to the baseball field for the races. The white team was waiting on the hill since its tradition that the white team goes second. I was standing in front of all the team in their white face paint waving white flags when I turned around and looked at the white team. I saw all the kids cheering for white or smiling and talking to each other, everyone was enjoying themselves. I then noticed that most of them were looking at me. That's when I first really realized I was the white captain. In my mind Steve Rubin was a white captain, but not me until that point. All the kids were looking at me to lead them, not just to the baseball field, but for the rest of the summer. It was my white team not the white team. That really meant a lot to me that all the team was looking to em and trusting me to lead them this year. I was thinking about how I was going to have to be a leader now, when I realized all the kids were having fun. Upper camp, lower camp everyone was enjoying themselves. I then started to smile and enjoy myself some too. I realized I could lead the kids as a captain, but have fun with them. From then on Green White wasn't work anymore. I didn't see it as a chore, but as fun. The rest of the summer all the Green White stuff I did was fun for me, my co-captains and the kids. This and many memories from Green White were great, so was all the fun I had which helped to make being the white captain the best part of my summer. Again I'd like to thank the green team for doing their best and the captains who did all they could and made this summer so fun for me. All of staff that helped out was great, especially senior staff who did everything behind the scenes to make all of green white possible. My co-captains and I decided to give an extra special thanks to Ali for running everything and doing his best to keep the scores strait and getting the real scores up on the chalkboard. My co-captains were great and more then helpful all summer. Ben Schneider and Isaac Orlansky who aren't here anymore helped a lot first month. Justin Von Schmidt and Sam Carlin did everything with me second month. They worked as hard as I did planning the Apache Race and the swim meet. Sam actually ran the whole horse show for white this morning for me and did a really good job. Last of my co-captains I have to thank Shinky. I really couldn't have led the white team without him. He was here helping me out both months and did at least as much as I did. Second month he really helped out since I didn't know the kids as well. He filled me in on second month strategy and made all the decisions with me. He led the team at times when I wasn't there and really led the white team second month. We really were equal captains of the white team, and I thank you so much for all the help. All the co-captains really deserve to be sitting here with Spanky, myself and senior staff. Finally a big thanks to all the campers who helped make this my best summer at Camp Shohola and probably of my life.
There have been many moments during these two months that i will carry with me forever, but there has been on moment that i will keep most pure in memory.
As I stood on the edge of the dock eagerly waiting for the last stretch of the canoers, I looked around and took Justin Co-Shap , Ben Jacobs, and Alex Manning into a huddle as we altogether prayed to god that the leading canoe was green. As we left our prayered huddle, we nervously stood side by side along the edge of the dock once more. Then suddenly i felt a burst of heart felt love and pride for my team rush through me as i saw Pedro Orazco's face and seeing him steering our Green war canoe to victory of the 2001 Apache race.
This moment was one of the most rewarding because it had been six years since Green had won the Apache race. Winning the Apache race was one of Green's most long awaited dreams and to know that i lead that victory was one of the most fulfilling feelings ever.
Being thrown into a leadership position that i was not ready for helped me learn much about leadership and in turn myself.
My dad always says that i am a great leader but not to lead a group if it is for a negative cause. When i lead a group, i like to have complete control and knowledge of what is happening at all times. During these two months, i felt that i had no control. For me, frustration comes when there is no control and i got very frustrated at time to the point of becoming a nuisance to authority figures. To all those affected by this, all apologies and thank you for all your help in making this a great color wars.
I cant forget all of the help from my co-captains: Ben Jacobs, Justin Cohan-Shapiro, Alex Manning, Greg Passuntino, and Kevin Wright. I could not have done anything without you. I also thank all members of the green team and for your great efforts. You all helped in so many ways and I thank you.