For over half my life these words have made my heart ache. Not in a bad way, in a longing, remembering, loving way. To me these words symbolize the end. The end of another summer, another chapter, another friendship.
I know that when I sing my last Green Trees & Taps my life will be beginning a new chapter. I will be saying goodbye to summer as I know it.
As a student I have lived for summer as long as I can remember! I know it won't be this summer and probably not the next. But it is lurking. Closer than it ever has been before.
I literally cannot imagine a summer without camp. I have been going to the same camp for 14 years. Camp is a part of me and it always will be. Sometimes I think about the ways in which camp has effected my life and I am amazed by how immensely my life has been shaped by summer camp people and experiences. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to experience Camp Cedarledge and I wouldn't change it for anything.
As a child it was my fun place, a little scary, but a place to make new friends and learn about things I would otherwise never know.
As a teenage it was my safe place, an escape from the real world and all of the problems that come along with teenage angst.
As a young adult it has become my home. A place where I can pass traditions and share with younger girls my experiences at camp.
My heart aches for the smell of Cedar trees and fresh air. For friends who are very different but all come together. For seeing smiles on the faces of campers when we end with a Good Night Scouts.
Green Trees & Taps
Green trees around us
Blue skies above.
Friends all around us
In a world filled with love.
Taps sounding softly
Hearts beating true
As we all say
“Good-night” to you.
Day is done,
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky.
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.
CEDARLEDGE SONG
The cedar trees are calling
And whispering a tune
For its nature’s peaceful love songs
To the winds they gently croon.
The amber hills are fading
As the sunset’s growing gold,
And the whipporwills are calling
While the moon is growing bold.
Farewell, we take memories
The years cannot fade.
Our Cedarledge friendships,
Our promises made.
