A Look Back at Summer 2021
Dear Wayfarer Family,
Greetings and welcome to the new Wayfarer Compass blog! Mary Kenson and Ben here, writing to you from Nashville, TN to kick-off our first post. We hope this letter finds everyone happy and healthy. As always, it’s hard to believe that summer has come and gone!
First and foremost, THANK YOU to our families and campers for making Wayfarer’s 30th anniversary summer such a wonderful success. With the highest enrollment in Wayfarer’s history, zero COVID-19 cases, and hundreds of golden moments in our hearts, it was a summer of pure joy and gratitude. Each year presents its own magic and this one was certainly no different. We encourage our campers to stay in touch with one another this school year and be a positive presence in each other’s lives.
We would also like to give a big shout-out to all of our Wayfarer Expedition campers! Both our Colorado and Wyoming trips proved to be nothing short of amazing. Our Colorado campers certainly covered a lot of ground. From conquering the white waters of the Arkansas River, to summiting Mt. Elbert, the tallest mountain in Colorado, our fearless troop tackled anything and everything in their way. In Wyoming, our campers braved the backcountry of the Wind River Range, rode the roaring rapids of the Snake River, and even made it to the summit of the mighty Middle Teton. Not an easy feat! Both trips were packed full of golden moments, self discovery, challenges, and friendships to last a lifetime. We couldn’t be more proud of all those who joined us this year, and we look forward to planning even more destinations for our 2022 season! Maybe make sure your passports are valid…
As many of you know, Tory Champion is retiring from her position as Executive Director. Tory has held this role for over a decade and her impact has been immeasurable. Tory made her start as a camp mom 20 years ago. It wasn’t long before she began overseeing the Trading Post, managing all things food and kitchen related, meeting our camp families, and being the main point of contact for our Wayfarer world. It was through Tory’s guidance that many of you found your way to Wayfarer, and for this alone we are eternally grateful. Tory has been the heart and soul of Wayfarer since the moment she came on board, and while we are certainly sad to see her go, we know it is not goodbye! We love you, Tory…OH, the places we’ve been!
As we set our sights toward the school year, we would like to encourage everyone to go hard in your classes, get involved in your community, and be the best possible version of yourself. Set goals and hold yourself accountable for reaching those goals; Be a role model among friends; And finally, remember what it means to be a Wayfarer, and do your best to walk that walk back at home!
Last, and certainly not least, enrollment for Summer 2022 opens TOMORROW, September 1st! We highly recommend reserving your bunk early as we once again anticipate waitlists for several of our age groups. Louise Ellisen, and our entire team at camp, are here to answer any questions. We will be making our rounds over the next few months and look forward to seeing your smiling faces when we come through your town! Stay tuned for more information regarding our fall tour.
Thank you again for being a part of our Wayfarer family. Big hugs to all and see you soon!
Mary Kenson (MK) and Ben Lewis
