The Memories Will Last Forever!

Is this really our last year being able to attend camp!? Awww 🙁 But the memories will last forever!

Both of my daughters are reaching their last year at camp due to their age. We experienced Camp Ida-Haven a few years ago for the first time when they were about 9 & 10 years old and it is the one topic that comes up in our household all year long.

Being a full-time single parent since very early on and never leaving my daughters or them leaving me for more than a night or two. The first year I sent them I think I was more anxious than they were, although they were a bit nervous too. I had heard such fabulous things about Camp Ida-Haven that I knew deep down I really didn’t need to worry. No contact from them for a whole week. Could we do it? Could I do it? It did help knowing I could send them an email everyday, which I did, as well as snail mail for daily mail call.

When I picked them up the first year they were excited to see me as I them. We greeted each other with big hugs and kisses, but that immediately turned to stories from both of them & singing all the songs from camp for the next 2 hours as we drove home. Stories of all the fun art projects, edible and otherwise, the friends that were there and the new friends they made, all the things they got to experience in each activity, the great staff, from the owners, Darla & Douglas, to all the staff member, and they really enjoyed the food (even though one of my daughters wasn’t sure if she could make it through the week with no red meat).

September would come and there would always be a personalized “Happy Birthday” photo postcard in the mail for each of them. Not only do we remember Camp Ida-Haven year-round, but they remember us! They truly care and it shows during camp as well as the rest of the year.

Of course, the excitement amps up each year in our household as February quickly approaches to make sure we are already to go with classes picked out and ready for camp sign ups!

Once they are registered they are already talking about camp to come in July and once again reflecting on all their past experiences. It is the one thing they look forward to every year. It has been a blessing to be able to have had them both attend as often as they were able to over the years.

I know they are both saddened that this will be their last year attending physically. However, they will always have the memories of everything they shared with Camp Ida-Haven over the last few years: staff, friends, activities & experiences.

Thank you Camp Ida-Haven for making such a huge and positive impact in our lives and leaving us with all the memories to cherish for years to come!

Hopefully, Camp Ida-Haven is still around when my daughters have children, as I know that they would definitely send them!

Let me know when you do an adult camp; I want to go for a week too!

Sincerely,
Cindy Biedebach