What makes Segowea, Segowea?
It's a new day, a new start, again. We've had a few new beginnings through the years here at Camp Wa Wa Segowea. The camp moved to its present location on Foley Hill Road 85 years ago- a new beginning. Boys attended camp and the only females were the ones that came on Visitors Day, until the camp became coed- a new beginning. The camp went quiet for a few years, and then reopened with great fanfare in 2010- a new beginning. And now, 2013, our 100th Anniversary Year, opening with a new partner, the Northwest CT YMCA- a new beginning. Through it all, Wa Wa has endured in the hearts and minds of many, many friends and supporters. And we can not thank you enough!
With this new beginning, the task at hand for us, is to attempt to explain what makes Segowea, Segowea, and share these thoughts/ideas/beliefs/traditions with our new partner, the Northwest Y. They are aware of the passion for camp by friends and alumni, but it's always helpful to put this passion into words. The past two blog posts have been about this topic in a roundabout sort of way. Sarah Perks did an excellent job with her photo essay of camp, and the last post was made up of Smith Park Board members and their reason for involvement. Now, we're looking to hear from you.
So we thought we would ask you! What makes Segowea, Segowea?
Whether it's just a few words or a whole list of things, please feel free to include anything and everything! Is it the people? Is it Harmon Pond? Is it that wake-up call?
You can post your responses a few ways-
- on this post (at the bottom),
- email them to campwawasegowea@gmail.com
- post them on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/YMCACampWaWaSegowea.
We want to share all responses with the Northwest CT Y.
Thanks!
Here's something that was written a few years ago-
ReplyDeleteWa Wa Spirit
It’s the unspoiled setting: the sun painting streaks on the clear lake, the wind weaving through tall trees. Bold wildlife, and the broad arms of the big porch. An indescribable but characteristic smell, fresh and musty and sweet and sweaty all at once.
It’s the activities: hiking, swimming, diving, falling off “the log.” Archery, arts and crafts, sailing, canoeing, soccer, box ball, b-ball, ping pong, water balloons. Grilled cheese, French toast, taco night, chocolate chip cookies.
It’s the joy of getting up in cabin cobwebs to the smell of breakfast. It’s the fun of getting down, getting dirty, and not caring. It’s traditions like Camp Songs, Banquet, Capture the Flag, Olympics, Human Dutch Auction, Pirates and “It’s only five more miles!” Campfire, Chapel, the breathtaking view of the Circle by candlelight.
Wa Wa Spirit is all of this, but much more. It is a strong and lasting feeling that bonds together children and adults of all ages, shapes and sizes, from city and country, from privilege and poverty, into an affirming family of friends. It is what draws everyone there year after year, what connects them between sessions, what creates a craving to be with other Wa Wa’s every chance they get. More than happy memories or sweet anticipation, the Wa Wa Spirit transcends the land on which Wa Wa sits or the time that anyone spends there.
In its eclectic mix of people and rustic setting, Wa Wa somehow became a place where everyone is welcome, where all are valued just for who they are. When you ask people what is so special about Wa Wa, you always get a smile, a glow. You see that wistful yearning to be back there, that longing for community that everyone seeks, a place where you always, always know you belong.
There people laugh together – a lot -- and cry together, “the good tears, the total safety in people you barely know, yet know so deeply.” They share the struggles of their lives back home, and swiftly resolve the struggles of sharing space together in the summer. There isn’t a hierarchy, there isn’t pressure to conform or any way to be left behind. “It’s knowing that it doesn’t matter who you go to the banquet with, ‘cause you know you’re going to have fun no matter what.” There’s trust and acceptance,“the way everybody likes everybody else and there is always a shoulder to cry on.”
People who have been there -- campers, staff and parents alike -- talk about Wa Wa in superlatives: “the best,” “the only,” “unique,” “ideal,” “special,” “paradise,” “remarkable,” and the most common adjective, “magical.” What is it you like about Wa Wa? “Everything. There and back a thousand times.”
Continued from above
ReplyDeleteEveryone uses words like “permanent,” “everlasting,” “constant.” Campers and counselors talk about the Wa Wa experience as life-changing, a pivotal experience that may have brought them something they didn’t know they needed, brought them somewhere they never dreamed they could go. Maybe it was the first time they felt so completely accepted, the first time they knew such a deep bond of camaraderie, the first time in their young lives they knew a loyalty to something greater than themselves. “Segowea has my thanks for changing me from a kid who couldn't speak up into a person who speaks out." There they learn responsibility, autonomy, respect for others and all the natural beauty the camp offers. People go to Wa Wa and come out different, better, changed, like the butterflies that hover around the shoreline. “I thank Segowea for who I am today and what I will do to change the lives of others.”
Over the years, much credit for that atmosphere goes to Beth Hodos, longtime director of the camp. A Little Person, the force of her presence far transcended her size. It was “a loving aacceptance that she creates simply with the power of her presence.” A second mother to all, they trusted her to nurture and support them, keep them in line but also share a mischievous smile, and always offer an ear, a shoulder, a hand to hold. A true leader, Beth didn’t build allegiance in the campers to herself, but to each other, and transmitted the values of caring and concern. “It’s not what Beth does, it’s what she is, being love that is contagious.” She built a synergy that would transcend her departure, a community that honors her by exemplifying the love she offered so generously to all.
Many children and adults speak of a camp experience using the word “love”; but Wa Wa’s put that love into action, raising money to help scholarship campers, devoting weekend after weekend to sprucing up the camp facilities, hour after hour keeping track of each other, celebrating the joys in each other’s lives and sharing the hurts. That “always having my back attitude”. When camp is in session, you see this all around, people walking hand in hand, arm in arm; the many hugs on arrivals and the tears on departures. The staff and the campers are comfortable with each other, respectful, affectionate and relaxed. They are home.
Wa Wa becomes a part of everyone who passes through there, and all are committed to keeping that spirit alive. “Over time, someone has to have done something right for all the Wa Wa’s out there to have always saved some space in their heart for Segowea.” The name “Wa Wa Segowea” means “He who comes by the waters to give,” and give it has, a heritage to honor and preserve. That special gift of a caring community remains to be given again and again in years to come, a covenant with 75 years past and with the future. “You’ll never understand unless you go.”
Oh, and i got an idea for a wawa poster. If you would like to know my idea, wich also might be good for advertisment, ask In comments. Its pretty good.
DeleteLauren
Hi Lauren! Thanks for your answer! Please share your idea, we'd love to hear it!
DeleteOk, so imagine a poster,k. Its up and down. Theres a top and a bottom. On top is 4 pictures. They are camp is... pictures. One says camp is... living,with a picture of a person sitting on the porch at the lodge,looking out onto the lake. Next to that, is another camp is that says camp is... full of laughs with of some one pranking another person. Then on the bottom its the same. The bottom left would say love with a picture of two friends hugging each other. Then the last (bottom, right) would say learn with a picture of a person shooting an arrow.
DeleteThen on the bottom, refering to the person shooting the arrow, it would say," Where will you shoot your arrow"? Camp WaWa Segowea has it all...
What do you think, to confusing?
Lauren
P.S. Hi Mike and others who read this! :)
Hi Lauren, I think that's a great idea for a camp poster! We'll see what I can put together. Not confusing at all! Mike
DeleteWow. Toughest question anyone has ever asked me.EVER.
ReplyDeleteCamp is... LLLL.
Iaoe
Vuva
Eger
H n
(Live, laugh, love,learn)
Wa Wa Segowea's where it's at. Take it from us segoweans(ppl who go 2 wawa). If u asked any of us to describe what makes segowea, Segowea, its almost impossible. LLLL is 1/4 of what segowea is. I love segowea, from its sunrises and sunsets, to the bug bites,and the people you meet. The thrills in nature walks, to boating, to the new and old counclers each summer.From the time i first got here, and for the rest of eternity.
Wa Wa Segowea, from when you were built in1913, to 3000, i will always love you. I will be with you. Forever, and always.
A L W A Y S.
Lauren
I heard they choose a director, could you tell me who it is and if i know him or her?
ReplyDeleteThe Northwest CT Y has chosen a director. His name is Joshua Scott and you can read more about him on the website- http://nwcty.org/wawa/wawa.htm. I also hear that Chris the chef is returning to cook for another summer.
DeleteCamp is.... boating after dinner! I did that every day and cant wait till this summer! Also, the start of summer campfires! Yay!
ReplyDelete