During my years at camp many people have welcomed me back and I have done the same to new campers. At camp I have found my place in the trips program with hikers. Year after year the same kids come back with the oldest kids leaving and new younger kids joining our community. 

    Certain trips tighten the bond between the core group of hikers. Sitting in the camp van with a bunch of tired boys after a 22 mile hike across the Presidential Range, I had never felt closer with anyone else. We talked quietly about our grueling experience but we did not have to talk, we could just look at each other and know what the other person was thinking because we know each other so well from spending a summer together. 

    The presidential traverse was the culmination of my summer. When I was sitting in the van after the hike I realized how close we had become, almost like brothers. The greatest part of the small community we formed was we were always willing to bring people into our community. 

    The connection I made with the boys at camp Kabeyun will never be broken, even if we can't see each other in person.