All Together Now Laurelwood

Hi everyone,

We understand that, during these trying times nationally, there are far more important issues than summer camp. So as much as we love Laurelwood and our camp family, and we do immensely, your safety and health – as well as that of our communities – comes first.

That said, we do love Laurelwood. A lot. It was the place we spent our childhoods, the place where we grew from little boys and girls into the adults we are today. It’s the place where we learned to dive into a pool and shoot layups, sure, but it’s also where we built the strongest, longest-lasting friendships we have. From nights spent camping underneath the stars, to never-ending afternoons of soccer and kickball, it was our happy place. Our safe space. Somewhere free where we could explore ourselves, our friends, and learn just a little bit about the way the world works.

It’s difficult to believe this much time has passed — a decade may not sound like much, but it certainly is for a group of 20-somethings — since Laurelwood gave us one of the most influential summers of our lives: our 2010 Bonim trip. That summer, led by two tremendous counselors (both of whom we stay in touch with, have seen get married and start families of their own), we spent a month in Costa Rica together. We zip-lined between volcanoes, hiked in cloud rainforests, and rode horseback through mountains. Though, most memorably, we found incredible joy in just being with each other – cherishing what we thought was the culmination of our time ‘growing up’ together at Laurelwood.

Many of us returned the following summer, stepping into new roles as Junior Counselors. It was the next stage of camp for us. That, and another treasured opportunity to spend a summer with our beloved camp friends. Then, we met our campers. For two months, we learned to listen to and care for those kids. We discovered what made them special, and found it impossible not to love them for their quirks. We watched them face their fears, whether of the ‘flying squirrel’ at the ropes course or asking a senior girl to the social. We watched them protect each other. We watched as they – sometimes literally – were lifted up in the Mess Hall to a campwide applause. We watched them feel celebrated for being themselves.

And in watching our kids, we realized Laurelwood was more than just a place to be with our friends. We realized it had always been that way.

College and now work keeps us from returning to our forever home. We still visit with regularity — some of us from as far away as North Carolina and Minnesota — to see our old campers, who have in turn become counselors with kids of their own. They tell us how special of a place it is. The cycle, beautifully, moves on.

But we have not forgotten Laurelwood. Not hardly. In addition to visiting, we offer old evening activities and traditions from our days as campers. And now, most importantly, we donate — because we want to ensure generations of future kids have the same transformative experience we had. Really, that is the reason for our writing today. For the first time since Laurelwood opened in 1937, due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, camp will be closed for the summer. Let that sink in. There will be no laughing poolside, no hot dogs on Girl’s Field during weekly cookouts. Nothing.

Again, we understand the enormity of this ask. But knowing how Camp Laurelwood has quite literally changed our lives — and our counselors lives before us, and our campers after — we know this place is absolutely worth giving our all for. That the idea for this fundraiser was born out of our Bonim 10 group text tells you all you need to know about the importance of the bonds built on Summer Hill Road. Please consider joining us in donating to Laurelwood, and ensuring that future generations of kids have the same incredible experience we were so lucky to enjoy. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and above all, your generosity.