A Word From Carter

Glenn Breazeale | Jun. 28, 2016

Good evening to all of you reading tonight!  We have had a wonderful first term and I want to thank you for letting your boys be here with us at camp!

Growing up at camp, I have always had a love for the outdoors.  Family hikes were a weekly ritual.  I was often the child who would be slowly moving down trail, stopping to pick each little bluet flower I saw.  To this day I still love their intricate detail and delight in their simpleness.  Today, I was reminded of children’s sense of wonder.  Glenn and I have been going through different cabin areas meeting with individual cabins.  We call them cabin check in’s and they have quickly become one of my favorite parts of camp.  We like to take the time to touch base with the boys and hear how their camp experience is and remind them to tell their counselors or one of us if they need anything.  This morning, I was in a cabin in the Canyon.  I was listening to the boys and we talked and laughed for a few minutes.  As I was about to leave, they started to tell me about a turtle that they thought was going to lay eggs soon.  One boy asked if I wanted to go see where they were.  They all jumped and asked me to come with them.  Of course I was going to go with them-what an invitation!  I was very honored!  They rushed me up next to one of the little bridges in the Canyon and sure enough, they had sticks strategically placed to protect the hole that they thought held the precious eggs.  A camper from Hunter Hollow ran up and informed us that the turtle had dug the hole but had not laid them yet.  Then we looked under another bridge and saw the turtle.  Now, they are waiting to see when the eggs will be laid!

As I left the Canyon, I was struck by the shear joy the boys were taking in the creation surrounding them.  And I was truly  touched by how they wanted to share that with others-including me.  Glenn and I want boys to have the time and the place to be boys and explore what is around them on this mountain.  I think it is crucial for them to have a place where they can stop and slow down in the midst of a busy world.  It grounds them.

Small moments, such as this morning’s turtle sighting, are part of what your child is getting out of camp each day.  He is learning that he doesn’t always have to be entertained by a screen.  He is interacting in big ways and small ways with boys from different towns, different states.  He is outside all day everyday and having a blast!

There are so many moments like this one that are happening each day at camp.  It is a such a joy to us when we get to share them with campers.  As your boys go to sleep tonight, they will hear the rush of the river and the sound of crickets.  I pray that when they are older, and are all grown up-they will be reminded of theses noises and all that they learned on this mountain.

Thanks for reading,

Carter

Glenn Breazeale
Glenn Breazeale

Like his own father, Glenn grew up as a camper at Alpine for six summers, coming from Jackson, MS each summer. He has served on staff at Alpine since 1997, working full time as Assistant Director from 2003 to 2005 and Director since 2006. Prior to that he gained experience serving in various capacities including cabin counselor, Head Counselor, Head of Project Adventure (Ropes course), Horseback instructor, and Program Director. Glenn’s love of camping and his desire to preserve the traditions of Alpine drew him back to camp to offer young boys the same opportunities he experienced. He met and fell in love with Carter during a Square Dance with Camp DeSoto.