Dear Camp Family,
The two most difficult moments of a K&E summer are very easy to pinpoint, though you might be surprised at them.
For parents, it’s the bus engine humming in the parking lot while you watch your child step up and out, finally embarking on that big moment. Off to Kenwood & Evergreen.
You spent hours packing their bags a couple of weeks back and stuffing them with carefully labeled clothes, favorite stuffed animal peeking out from the top, and a heart full of mixed emotions, mostly excitement.
Now you are at the bus stop with that internal dialogue that remains unspoken: “What if I miss you too much?” is the question. But it’s not the kids asking it as much as you thinking it quietly in your own head.
Because this is a defining moment in every kid’s camp life, and honestly, it’s almost always tougher for the parents than for the kids.
The Archway & A Hug that Never Ends
Miles away, at Kenwood & Evergreen, anticipation is building.
Kenwood staff members line up in two rows, forming an archway stretching from the bus to the heart of camp. Girls staff are gathered together on the Evergreen ballfield, bubbling with excitement and anticipation. They’re wearing bright smiles and white t-shirts, arms and hands linked above them in a symbol of unity and strength.
As the buses roll in, the Kenwood archway erupts into cheers and the cloud of girls’ staff descends on the bus door as it opens.
“Welcome to K&E!” they shout, voices carrying from the athletic fields to the lake. One by one, Kenwood boys walk through that archway, knowing, without it being said, that this is a group ready to support them all summer long. The girls are enveloped by their counselor, embraced in a hug by the summer family that will not let them go until their camp journey is done for the summer.
We love this archway and this endless hug for many reasons. Fun traditions? Sure, but in reality, they symbolize everything we strive for in every summer interaction – creating a sense of connection and belonging from the very beginning.
This archway is a scaffolding for a summer of growth and the group hug is the undeniable presence of the support they will feel each and every day, starting from the second they step off that bus.
The Foundation of Growth
And yes, just like a real archway, K&E is carefully constructed to support your child. Each staff member is like a stone, playing a crucial role in the overall system.
The counselors are the base, providing a solid foundation of care and guidance. They are the ones there to celebrate victories and help navigate any challenges while away from home. From bunk conversations to social contracts to setting summer themes, counselors are there every step of the way.
The specialists are the pillars, offering every activity under the sun (or under the rain if the weather doesn’t play nice). From mastering kayaking to shining on stage to rounding the bases on the baseball field to unleashing their art studio creativity, it’s a summer packed with challenges.
And at the center of it all is, you guessed it, your child – the keystone.
The love and support they receive at camp means learning independence, resilience, and the power of true friendship. The keystone holds an archway together, just like your child holds the camp community together.
Their presence, their energy, and their growth are what make K&E the camp it is and has always been.
The Second Hardest Moment
Remember when I mentioned the two hardest moments of the summer? Well, here’s the second one: saying goodbye on closing day.
But here’s the thing – this goodbye is different. Your child won’t leave under the same archway they entered, and the hugs will come from them as they hold each other and their summer family one last time. They don’t need to be held and supported to feel that love and strength
They’ve learned that they are capable of more than they ever imagined – and that they have an entire community cheering them on, no matter where things take them.
From Color War to Hollowpolooza (more on this in a couple of weeks) to the final campfires, you’ll see your child has become the archway – strong, supportive, and ready to take on the world.
A Promise to Parents
At Kenwood & Evergreen, we know that sending your kid to camp means a mix of emotions. There’s joy, some nerves, plus the somewhat bittersweet ache of letting go. We’ve been there, and we know exactly how you feel.
That’s why we pour our hearts into creating this summer experience. From that first moment stepping through that archway to the final hugs on closing day, your child has the kind of support only found at camp.
So, as you watch your child disappear into the sea of campers, know that they are exactly where they need to be. They are walking into an archway that will support them, challenge them, and help them grow into the incredible person they were always meant to be.
And we promise to be there for them – and for you – every step of the way.
With warm regards and a big group hug,
Scott