Lost and Found–the blog
Updated August 22, 2025It’s been two weeks since summer 2025 ended. Tihana has been working tirelessly to get through the lost and found and I (Eli) was reminded of this blog entry I wrote eight years ago (feels like yesterday!). Some things have changed: My kids are all grown up so these days, post-summer life means going on…
July 12, 2025
Posted August 22, 2025I appreciate all the concern and well wishes and encouragement as we have navigated the tragic news out of Texas this past week. I have been talking with my camp director colleagues around the country about the challenge of mourning and holding space for the lives lost and trauma experienced at a long-celebrated camp like…
Eli’s Camp Friendship
Updated May 7, 2025I sent a text to my best friend: “H, I am writing a blog about our camp friendship. Want to comment?” Here’s what she wrote: “When I sit down and try to articulate what my camp friendships mean to me now, I’m overwhelmed. I can’t even imagine how the last two thirds of my life…
What’s Sleep Away Camp REALLY About
Updated May 7, 2025Today I got asked to answer these questions for an upcoming magazine article about camp–sharing my answers here, too! (BRING ON SUMMER!) Sleep away camp is a great way for kids to meet friends and build independence – in addition, what is the BIG purpose behind sleep away camps? Overnight camping started in the late…
Building “THE Q”
Updated May 7, 2025At the end of summer 2022, we dedicated “The Q”—a brand new outdoor amphitheater at camp! The gift of this amphitheater actually started before I was born. In the 1960s, the donor (Bill) had been identified by his elementary school principal to receive a scholarship to attend Camp Ernst. He returned for many summers, bringing…