Meet Insider Mom

July had come and I started packing my third grader for camp. I pulled out that packing list that Camp Cedarbrook so thoughtfully provides and started looking through it. As I made my way through the list, I had thoughts such as these…

“She’s going to need 2 of those.”

“She also needs…”

“She’ll never use that.”

Then I was talking to a friend who was also trying to pack her third grader for camp. Her thoughts about the packing list went more like this…

“What is that for?”

“How many of those does she need?”

“What if I can’t find one of these?”

The great difference between the two of us: she was full of questions and I was full of answers. I talked her through some of her questions, and that’s when it dawned on me. I’m a little different from most Cedarbrook moms.

I am “Insider Mom.”

This “Cedarbrook Mom” experience is not my first Cedarbrook experience. It’s just my latest Cedarbrook experience.

First, I was a camper. A second-generation camper.

Then I was a CILT (Camper in Leadership Training). And after that, a counselor. Then a division director, activity specialist, team leader… I worked for camp full-time for 13 years and was on staff for 21 summers.

Then God called me to pursue other things, just as my daughter was old enough to be a camper. This will be her third summer at camp for a week on her own.

So here I am. I am going to tell you the truth about how things really go. I’m going to tell you what’s really important to pack (TWO bathing suits) and what you can let go of (comb).

I’ve seen camp from just about every angle. It’s a unique perspective. I’ve been the camper. I’ve been the camper’s counselor. I’ve been the counselor’s supervisor. Now I’m the camper’s mom. Each one of those roles has taught me many things. Things that go way beyond camp, but also a lot of little practical things.
So, Cedarbrook Mom, let’s talk. I’ll share the insights that I think will be most helpful to you. And I hope you’ll let me know what you’re thinking. Ask me questions and share your own insights in response to these “Insider Mom” posts right down there in the comments.