Hey, Camp Folks!

With the summer sun dipping below the horizon, campers make their way around the camp on Closing Day, hugging friends and exchanging promises to stay in touch. The laughter and chatter of the past weeks seem to echo through the trees, a bittersweet soundtrack to the closing day of camp. Each goodbye is a reminder that no matter how perfect the moments, all good things must end.

This phrase captures the essence of summer camp—a place of joy and learning, where days are long and friendships flourish, but eventually, the time comes to pack up and head home. Just like the amazing experiences at camp, all good things in life have their seasons. This saying teaches us to cherish the moments of happiness and connection while they last, and to accept that change is a natural part of life.

Chaucer

The idea that all good things must come to an end traces back to medieval writings, first penned by Chaucer—a famous English writer from 600 years ago. He’s best known for a book of fun stories he wrote called ‘The Canterbury Tales’, but it is his line from a poem that spawned this phrase. A modernized version of the line would read: "But at last, as all things end, she had to say goodbye and go."

Frost

Another poet from the turn of the 20th Century, Robert Frost, beautifully captured this sentiment in his poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay." Frost describes how the most beautiful, golden moments in nature are only temporary.

His poem helps us understand that just like the first green leaves of spring that quickly change, our happiest moments are precious but fleeting.

Harrison

The phrase was given new life in more modern times by former 'Beatle', George Harrison. Titling his 1970 album “All Things Must Pass,” brought an alteration of the phrase back into popular consciousness, reminding a whole new generation that change is the only constant. This album is filled with songs reflecting on change and transition.

For campers saying goodbye, remembering that “All good things must end” helps put their wonderful experiences in perspective. It teaches them to look forward to new adventures, carrying the lessons and friendships from camp into the future, while holding onto the joy of the past. This lesson, shared through poetry and music, continues to inspire and comfort people of all ages as they navigate the beautiful, sometimes bittersweet, journey of life. 

As always, thanks for reading, Camp Folks! And, of course, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Victors!

When the moment arrived for the shy camper to take the stage for the camp talent show, her heart began racing and her hands trembled. She breathed in deep, standing in front of the audience, and started to sing her song. Her music filled the air and she noticed her nerves melting away and replaced by confidence and joy.

At the end, everyone erupted into applause and the camper smiled wide from ear to ear. She didn’t realize she had it in her but, indeed—at summer camp—every dog has its day!

This phrase is a timeless reminder that success isn’t just for a privileged few, but something for everybody so long as they’re willing to put in the necessary work and persevere. Originating over 450 years ago, this idiom has stood the test of time, finding its way into the lexicon of countless generations.

It was popularized by William Shakespeare in his play Hamlet. The phrase underscores the universal truth that everyone will have their chance to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. But Shakespeare didn’t create this saying.

The proverb's origins trace back to the first century, when Plutarch wrote a similar sentiment: "Even a dog gets his revenge." It was Richard Taverner, however, in 1539 who first wrote a version closer to the one we know. He wrote: "A dogge hath a day."

Over the centuries, the phrase has evolved into a powerful reminder that adversity and setbacks are temporary, and that with patience, determination, and resilience, every individual has the potential to achieve greatness.

At summer camp, each individual is encouraged to embrace their unique talents and strengths and every camper has the opportunity to shine. Whether it's conquering the climbing wall, performing in the talent show, or simply making new friends around the campfire, every camper has their moment to experience success and fulfillment. Thanks for reading, Everyone. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Light Beams!

The sun announces another morning at summer camp as it peeks over the horizon and casts its golden rays across the stunning sky and landscape. The campers stretch their arms and wipe their eyes as they greet the new day with a smile. A sense of excitement bubbling within, the entire cabin wakes up with the sunrise as everyone naturally wants to get as much out of their camp days as possible!

At summer camp, the old saying "Rise and Shine" makes the promise of early morning hikes through the forest and exhilarating water sports on the lake. Starting each morning with a positive attitude and a readiness to seize the day, campers set the tone for unforgettable adventures and lasting memories.

But how did this phrase come about?

Well, ‘Rise and Shine’ has long been used as a wake-up call for soldiers and sailors—frequently following the playful phrase ‘Wakey wakey’. Over time, however, the phrase moved beyond the military origins and become a cheerful way of waking someone up.

The roots of the phrase reach a little further back than that, though—as far back as The Bible. The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 60, Verse 1, reads:

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

Here, the call to ‘arise’ and ‘shine’ symbolizes a call to action, urging individuals to spiritually awaken and embrace the divine light surrounding them. Over the years, the phrase has come to be used in a much more everyday sense and humorously applied to those who were forced to wake up early (such as soldiers on duty).  

If you're reading this post bright and early in the morning, it's time for you to "Rise and Shine"! Embrace today with great enthusiasm and energy. With a positive attitude and a willingness to embrace each new opportunity, you're sure to have a day filled with brightness and joy. Here's to rising and shining, and to making the most of every moment! Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Eager Summer Camp Fans!

Eagerly awaiting the transformation of plain white fabric into explosive tie-dye masterpieces, the campers’ were thrilled after stirring their dye and dipping their shirts in color. But after bagging their shirts and placing them out in the warmth of the afternoon sun. The dye requires 24 hours to allow all the colors to truly bond with the fabric. While the kids didn’t want to walk away from their project, their counselor reminded them all, “A watched pot never boils, campers!”

This commonly known phrase captures the universal truth that time can really seem to slow down when we're eagerly awaiting for something to happen. But where did this age-old adage originate, and why does it still ring true today?

The origins of ‘a watched pot never boils’ can be traced back to the mid-1700s, attributed to none other than the famed founding father, Benjamin Franklin. While the phrase itself doesn't appear in Franklin's famous Poor Richard's Almanack, he did allude to it in his esoteric writings, stating that "a watched pot is slow to boil." Though Franklin may not have coined the exact phrase, his reference to it solidified its place in our lexicon.

Over the centuries, the saying has become a fixture in everyday conversation, popping up everywhere to remind us that patience is a virtue, and that sometimes, the best course of action is to step back and let things unfold naturally.

So, the next time you find yourself anxiously waiting for that pot to boil, take a cue from the wisdom of one of our founding fathers and embrace the moment. After all, as Franklin himself once said, "He that can have patience can have what he will." Until next time, Camp Folks. Thanks for reading and, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Folks!

The camper peered down from the zip line launch platform—the ground appearing impossibly far away. Courage wavered. Despite clear instructions from the cabin leader and reassurance of the safety and exhilaration, the child stepped back down. Understanding of the apprehension, the cabin leader gently told the camper that the choice to jump or not was all theirs.

The camper made the decision not to jump that day, which was fine. After all, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!

This saying is rather old. It was something people said more than 800 years ago! It basically means that you can show someone an opportunity or offer to help, but you can't force anything on anybody.

Now, the credit for this saying often goes to a cool medieval English poet named John Heywood. In 1546, he wrote it down in a book called "A Dialogue Containing the Number in Effect of All the Proverbs in the English Tongue." Catchy title, huh? In his book, it went like this: "Hurt not the horse, the more he is sought, the better he will be."

So what the heck does THAT mean?!

The idea here was simply that the horse's condition would naturally improve with proper care. However, the phrase later on evolved with the addition of the crucial second part: "but you can't make it drink." This second half emphasizes that even if you offer an opportunity, you cannot make a horse take advantage of it. People started using this phrase for matters outside the realm of horse care, applying to other people more than anything else.

Nowadays, this saying is used all the time to remind folks that while you can offer help or choices, you can't make anyone do something they don't want to do. So, when your little one heads off to summer camp, remember this saying and let them make the most of their adventure at their own pace!

Tune in next month when we dissect another famous saying, ‘Spill the Beans’. Thanks for reading, Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John