CSA 2023 Post-camp Director’s Letter

August 25, 2023

Dear CSA Family and Community,

I want to thank everybody for contributing to CSA’s 2023 summer camp! The High Sierras gave us seven days of beautiful weather. The campers arrived on a Sunday, excited for what the week’s programs would bring. They quickly learned that archery, arts and crafts, nature walks, scarf, frisbee golf, rock climbing and bouldering, music, the ropes course, and Sean’s program are best experienced with new friends. Meal times roared with laughter, stories, and singing. Campfires featured action and adventure, silliness, as well as time to wind down and look at the stars. On the final Saturday, our once-a-year adventure came to a close with songs, tears, and hugs. However, NEXT YEAR WAS ALREADY ON OUR MINDS!!!!!!

This year, I am thankful for the volunteers who took on new, very prominent positions within our camp. You went above and beyond. Thank you to our program staff: your guidance and facilitation fills our days with education, challenges, and creativity. Thank you to our counseling staff: you are absolutely the backbone of camp. Your 24/7 support of the campers has them going home telling stories about their “coolest counselor ever.” Thank you to our LTs (leader trainees): you worked as a team, helped facilitate programs, and are the future leaders of camp. Thank you to our medical, operations, and communications teams: you help provide the safety and infrastructure the week needs. And thank you Camp Leadership Committee for a year of planning!

On that note, we will soon hold our annual election, at which our community selects the following year’s Camp Director, Medical Director, Scarf Director, Chaplain, Registrar, and one Member-at-Large (three-year term). This election is extremely important as it ensures the Camp Leadership Committee truly represents the many voices of our camp community, so we hope to see everyone at the meeting (either in-person or online). The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2023. Anyone who has held a position on the Camp Leadership Committee or attended camp in a staff or LT position in the past three years may vote.

If you would like to nominate yourself for any of 2024’s community-elected positions, please send an email to nominations@campsaintandrews.org. Self-nominations must be received no later than Friday, September 8, 2023.

In October, after the community-elected members have been elected, those interested in a Camp Director-appointed position (Asst. Camp Director, Operations Director, Spirit Director, Program Director, Archery Director, and Bookkeeper) will be able to submit their self-nominations. Requirements and job descriptions for all community-elected and director-appointed CLC positions can be found at campstandrews.org/docs under Camp Leadership Committee.

The tentative schedule summary for 2023-2024 camp events and meetings is included with this letter. All are invited (and encouraged!) to attend meetings. Links to join CLC meetings that are conducted via video conference can be found in the public CSA Event Calendar at campstandrews.org/calendar.

Again, THANK YOU to everyone who made CSA 2023 so much fun, especially the CAMPERS who make all our efforts worth it. And my eternal gratitude goes out to all the staff who have made my second year as director so enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Matthew McGeorge
Camp Director, 2023
matt@campsaintandrews.org