The Boys & Girls of Summer

The Boys & Girls of Summer


As much as I'd love to be my usual nonchalant self, I must admit that my summer camp has made this a damn good summer. We've taken some good trips, and staff has developed genuine relationships with one another. And even though there are a couple weeks left, I can already name the showstopper of Summer '16. It was easily one of the greatest three minute segments of my life. Yes, my life. We were at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City (love that place) about a month ago. Our exact location was the cafeteria. If you've ever been to LSC and eaten in the camp/group caf, you know how serious they are about time. You don't have to be punctual, but you damn sure best be on the way to the exit when your time is up. Anyways, BFC (about 85 deep, staff included) sat in the center amidst a caf full of campers. There was music playing. A particular song began to play. I don't listen to the radio at all, especially mainstream popular music. But if I like it, I just may end up loving it. So the chorus comes on. All the sudden, a random camp leader came thru the isle and hyped about 250 children to sing along, "Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader. She is always right there when I need her..." They crushed it. YouTube worthy. The kids and that beat literally had the LSC cafeteria ROCKING. I looked at my young'n Ty Washington and said in amazement, "Damn, they got it jumpin' in here!" Ty, always cool as Miles on Kind of Blue, simply responded, "Yeah. He know he got a hit with this one." There was Ty. Summed it up thoroughly in a sentence or so. It sent me deeper in thought. For the 1,000,000th time it reaffirmed the power of music. But to hear the kids rocking it like that...that will always stick with me. I went through juvenile hell. There's nothing better in life than to see the kids happy and free as can be.


Dear summer...I'm thankful.