I’m writing this as summer draws to a close.
This is always the most bittersweet time of year.
The buses have rolled away. The bunks stand empty. Another transformative summer has ended, this one on the edge of exciting change. Evolution is essential.
But sitting here in the quiet, I found myself thinking back to something I shared with camp families 25 years ago.
A simple question that shaped so much of what we’ve done since.
Take a look:
“What do you want your child to grow up to be?”
That’s what we asked parents thinking about K&E all those years ago.
Not what college. Not what career. But who could they become?
What nametag could they wear?
The answer proposed then remains unchanged today: A person of character. Someone with an adventurous spirit. A positive leader. A confident human being. An independent thinker. A good friend to others.
These aren’t just aspirations. They’re identities your children try on, wear proudly, and eventually make their own.
Twenty-five years later, after countless technological revolutions and social upheavals, these six qualities still define what matters most. They’re still what we pursue every single day at K&E.
And these nametags are ones the kids will take with them long after they’ve left camp.
Hello, I’m a Person of Character
Character lives in what kids do when they think no one’s watching.
We get to see those moments all summer long. The choices made in quiet times. The integrity shown when it would be easier to look away. The honesty that comes naturally when you’re living your values.
That’s where character lives. And we saw it everywhere this summer.
Hello, I’m an Adventurous Spirit
Adventure at camp comes in many forms.
Yes, kids literally jump off cliffs with Adventure Dave, with each age group jumping from progressively greater heights.
But adventure also means sitting with the bunkmate you’ve been struggling with and working things through with the support of your counselor.
It means getting up on stage at Hollowpalooza for the first time. It means choosing the harder path because it leads to growth.
Both kinds of courage matter. Both happened daily.
Hello, I’m a Positive Leader
Leadership looks different at different ages.
For our Hut 6 and Juniper kids, it’s modeling enthusiasm for everything, taking care of their fellow campers, and mentoring younger kids. For Color War captains, it’s keeping spirits high, whether winning or losing, and keeping it fun!
We watched kids discover they could inspire others. That their energy was contagious. That leadership isn’t about being in charge but about lifting others up.
The cheering never stopped. That’s leadership in action.
Hello, I’m a Confident Human Being
Confidence here blooms like a flower bud that opens by week six.
Shy kids find their voice. They learn to trust. To show and share their feelings. To be vulnerable and known. We watch this transformation every summer, but I’ll tell you, it never gets old.
When a kid discovers they can do something they didn’t think possible, that belief stays with them.
Hello, I’m an Independent Thinker
No parents here to solve problems. And counselors who scaffold rather than fix.
Kids learn to adapt, to redirect, to find their own solutions. They discover there’s rarely one right answer. That thinking for yourself is both challenging and essential.
Independence built through practice. Through trust. Through the space to figure things out.
Hello, I’m a Good Friend to Others
Kindness is our highest value. Modeled by staff. Lived by kids.
Kids made lifelong friends this summer. Some of them will be their bridesmaids and groomsmen years down the line. But this is real life. There were also the usual challenges that come when people live together. But also the usual grace. Forgiveness offered. Second chances given. Support when someone struggles.
Kids learn that friendship includes working through hard moments. That the best relationships require attention and effort. That kindness wins. That deep friendships—camp friendships—are the very best ones.
What This Means
The world has no doubt transformed since we created that name-tag brochure years ago. Everything moves faster. Technology reshapes childhood. Pressure builds from every direction.
But what children need hasn’t changed at all.
They still need Character. Adventure. Leadership. Confidence. Independence. Kindness.
Your children aren’t just bringing home their luggage. They’re bringing home these qualities, woven into who they’re becoming. The nametags may stay at camp, but the identities travel home.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Twenty-five years ago, I wrote about what we value at camp. Today, I wouldn’t change a word.
That’s not stubbornness. It’s clarity. The world will consistently and constantly push us to chase the new, but we’ve chosen to protect the timeless. To be guardians of what actually matters.
Your children proved it again this summer. The basics still work. Character still counts. Connection still transforms.
When they step off the bus next year at camp, their friendships will pick up like no time has passed. Because what we build here endures.
Until then, help them remember: who they are at camp is who they really are. The magic of camp is in them, and they make camp magical.
With deep gratitude for sharing your amazing kids with me, summer after summer…
Scott