In the summer of 1983, I unknowingly became the start of a lice outbreak at Camp Willow Creek. Picture this: lounging on the grass with my cabin mates, eagerly waiting for my turn to play volleyball, when a sharp-eyed counselor noticed my incessant scratching. A quick visit to the camp infirmary revealed the culprit—lice. Before long, I had passed this unwelcome guest to all the girls in my cabin, leading to an entire camp lined up for a treatment of Kwell and the infamous metal comb that took away big chunks of our tangled, chlorine-drenched hair.
After my diagnosis that first night, I returned to the cabin post-lights-out. All my belongings had been taken for sterilization, leaving me in an oversized Camp Willow Creek sleep shirt and a new brush I bought from the canteen. I climbed into my bed, which was scratchy from the lost-and-found sheets and too warm from the acrylic blanket. My cabin mates, usually chatty and willing to play games like Truth or Dare, suddenly seemed distant. I could hear their hushed whispers; I was the one who had brought this “pestilence” into our space, the pariah of Bunk Four.
The only one who reached out to me during those initial, difficult days was my best friend, Lily. We had been attending summer camp together for two years, and she was from sunny California. With her curly hair and bright pink windbreaker, she was the girl who first introduced me to the wonders of pop music. It was Lily who held my hand from her own bunk the night I felt utterly alone, reassuring me that lice could happen to anyone. She remained by my side, even after she caught the pesky critters herself, as the rest of the girls fell victim one by one to this rite of passage each child faces after spending weeks in close quarters with others, often while engaged in round-robin hair-braiding sessions.
More than any arts and crafts or campfire stories, the most cherished memory from my seven summers at camp is my friendship with Lily. A camp best friend is a unique bond, distinct from those I had during the school year. A school friend involves daily interactions, notes passed in class, and navigating the social landscape filled with potential conflicts. The home friend might change from season to season, while the camp best friend is a constant presence, typically met in your first summer together.
You may sit together on that first night at the welcoming barbecue or hand off a baton in a relay. The details of your initial meeting don’t matter much; what matters is the connection you form at such a young age. If you’re fortunate, you click so well that you return to camp year after year. You might exchange charms from your bracelets, share clothes, and even create dance routines for the talent show, crying when the summer comes to an end and it’s time to say goodbye.
At home, this camp friendship often goes unrecognized. Friends who don’t attend camp may view her as an outsider, someone who seems cooler and more adventurous, impossible to compete with. Yet, she’s real. “Can I call Lily?” I’d often ask my mom during the winter months, when long-distance calls required permission. Speaking with Lily was a thrill. She understood the summer camp social dynamics, the intricate gossip about girls in our cabin, and the inside jokes that made our time together so special.
Having a best friend whom I only saw for eight weeks each year, sending excited letters on colorful stationery, was invaluable. She didn’t care about my popularity at school or my grades; she was simply there for me. Each summer, we would reconnect, as if no time had passed, sharing the same interests and nostalgic memories.
Ultimately, Lily and I transitioned from camp to high school and beyond, keeping our friendship alive through letters and occasional phone calls. She settled in the west, became a doctor, and started a family. When I authored a book, she discovered me on social media and excitedly reached out, reminding me of the strong bond we had formed years ago, even after all the time apart. It was a beautiful reminder that no matter where life took us, we were still those same girls from the summer of 1983—forever connected by our cherished memories.
Summary:
The bond formed with a camp best friend is one of a kind, distinct from friendships made during the school year. This connection, often formed at a young age, provides emotional support and understanding that transcends distance and time. Through shared experiences and heartfelt letters, these friendships can endure long after summer ends, reminding us of the joy and simplicity of childhood relationships. For more insights into home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy, or explore this blog post for more information.