When my father died, my brother was five and I was two. So my mom with a sixth grade education had to cope in 1935 before social security was created. It wasn’t until my senior years that I realized and now appreciate the immensity of that challenge and how great her success.
I rarely remember my mom telling me what to do, other than “wash behind my ears.” (In the smoky city in the 40’s dirt was everywhere). What mom did was skillfully and remarkably use the resources available to shape my exposure with my homelife, schools, religion and community. A vital part of that exposure was camping, beginning with the Sarah Heinz House Center, where I enjoyed year round athletics and social activities highlighted by a four week summer camp.
I enjoyed days filled with outdoor fun, learning water sports as well as responsibility for chores. During my summer camp for six years, mom had begun a summer week at Laurel Ridge YMCA camp for “young adults” which included a handful of teens. I switched my camping to the Y when I was fifteen and still continue, missing only three of the next seventy years.
It’s such a built-in part of my nature that I seldom reflect on why I come back. Over the decades my reasons have evolved and the camp too has evolved. What I’ve enjoyed about the camp has changed as my body has changed. I’ve reduced my sailing time from being on the lake all day, and no more tennis and recently no volleyball.
What has been consistent is the welcoming fellowship of staff and campers so even a self-described introvert feels completely comfortable. In the early 1950’s the camp’s mission broadened from young adults to include families. The new emphasis became Deer Valley Family Camp with a new campus developed suitable for all ages. Years later as my family enlarged, I appreciated the camp’s many dimensions. My children seamlessly developed friendships within their age groupings with varied activities safely directed by well chosen caring college students.
Now camping at the Y tradition continues as I see my children and grandchildren enjoying a week in the hills of Pennsylvania with a community of family, friends and international staff. Four of my children journey from out of state aggregating 10,000 miles of travel. My family thanks me for making this happen, but I thank my mom for setting the stage for me to choose.