Since April 8, we’ve had guests on the property at SpringHill in Michigan nearly every day. That’s 147 days. That’s about 441 meals served to about 13,000 guests and staff. It’s about 60 full camp turns—where guest move out of a cabin, our accommodations staff cleans it, and more guests move in the same day. There were thousands of calls to the on-call host. There were many, many toilets (and other things) that needed fixing. There were hundreds of hours of tram rides, and thousands of hours of activities.
And then, yesterday, on the last day before our maintenance team shut down the outdoor pool and waterslide for the season, we threw a party to celebrate.
Our food service staff didn’t have to cook. Our accommodations team didn’t have to clean. No one was running to fix things, or give rides… and while a few of our faithful activities staff did serve as lifeguards during the party… almost everyone else just got to take a deep breath and enjoy the evening with their co-workers, friends and family.
And, while it takes hard work to pull off what our staff did this summer season… it also takes this kind of a step back—to survey the work and celebrate—to build the kind of team that I’m proud to be on.
So, thank you maintenance team for keeping camp, and our pool, running all summer… and for throwing a party for us in it before you shut it down.
Thank you food service staff for all the meals, all the sweeping and mopping under tables and chairs, all the filling of drink stations, and all the food for our guests with special diets.
Thank you volunteer tram drivers for the countless loops you made to get kids and families to their housing and activities.
Thank you hosts for answering the phone at all hours, for running out to the gate to let someone in, and for doing it all with a smile.
Thank you accommodations team for keeping it clean, for coming in on your days off, and working very long shifts to make sure our guests had a clean, comfortable place to sleep.
Thank you activities staff for being there early to set up, belaying and guarding in rain or shine, and sometimes missing meals to give everyone a chance to be challenged, to laugh, and to play at camp. (And thanks for lifeguarding at our pool party!)
And, to so many more who handled registration, managed databases, raised the funds, fixed our phones and computers, ran the lights and sound, planned the program, hired the staff, and did whatever it took for the kids we serve, thank you.