In honor of the Camp Hoffman Centennial, today we are sharing some
beautiful camping memories from Sarah Durvin.
"As a Girl Scout growing up, one of the things I most looked
forward to every year was summer camp. I spent the earlier years at
Camp Cookie, where I found a love of the outdoors; hiking, campfires,
and swimming. When I had outgrown day camp and convinced my parents to
allow me to attend overnight camp, Camp Hoffman was the obvious
choice. Having spent many weekends troop camping, and as part of the
overnight program through Camp Cookie, I was familiar with the tents
in units like Spruces, the wooden docks at the waterfront, and the
cramped tables of Rooftree, the dining hall. I spent one week having
fun beneath the trees, and fell in love. I never wanted to leave.
Fast forward 9 years, my love of camp had never faded. In fact, it
was renewed when looking for a summer job during college. I applied,
and was offered a job at Camp Hoffman. Taking the position was one of
the best decisions of my life. I arrived at camp, met my fellow
counselors (many of whom I am still friends with) and fully immersed
myself in this world in the woods. In the five years I worked at Camp
Hoffman, I worked as a unit counselor, CIT Director, and Program
Manager. I became a certified archery instructor and led lessons. I
certified in low ropes on the new ropes course, and spent a lot of
time climbing, and ziplining through the trees. Lighting one-match
fires, singing songs, making smores, and canoeing on Larkin Pond
constantly brought back memories of my childhood summers, and helped
me to appreciate just what I was getting to experience, all while
sharing my own love with a new generation of campers.
One of the most meaningful experiences I had, was actually leading a
last night campfire at Gypsy’s Rest. As a program manager my last
year, our camp director had to step away from the celebration, and my
co-program manager and I led the singing, offering of the wish sticks,
passing out of camp ties to newly inducted CITs, and finally, the
dismissal through the candlelighted pathway to the last night’s sleep
(and surprise Shack Party). Traditions are something I hold dear in
life, and being part of one at camp was always something I loved.
Hosting the Hoot Ananny and then walking in silence and darkness to
Gypsy’s Rest, only to be greeted by glowing faces, singing, “for you
are my friend, and I’ll walk with you always,” was something I
anticipated each week. I loved the sense of calm that came with the
Last Night Campfire, and the songs we sang that felt timeless, while
also seeming to stop time. Leaving the ceremony singing “Aloha my
friend” and hearing the song echoing through the trees all the way
back to the units: the memory still gives me goosebumps (from such a
happy time).
I hope to one day return to Camp Hoffman, perhaps to guide yet
another generation of campers in the same traditions I experienced as
a camper, and later as a staff member. I look back on my time at camp
fondly, and often reminisce with my friends (from camp) about the
summer days we spent together. I had over 20 guests at my wedding just
from camp. In fact, I married someone I met at camp! Being part of
Camp Hoffman changed my life for the better, and it will always hold a
special place in my heart."
