When I was eight years old,
coming to camp for my very first time
I didn’t quite understand why Mom named me “Zachary Lassen Lusby”
She told me that the only reason it wasn’t “Zachary Coppercreek Lusby” was because my Dad didn’t like it
But that’s what it meant to her
My Mom loved coming to camp more than anything else
And she worked that happiness to be in my name
Now, eight years older, and eight summers more, I finally understand what my name means
Camp means the company of people who love you
It means acceptance of others, no matter who they are
And it means finding yourself
Because camp is a haven from judgement
It’s a place where we can grow into the person we want to be
And have a lot of fun doing it
Every friend here lasts forever, even if we’re only together for two weeks
And every moment is cherished like a friendship bracelet
No matter the age, the gender, or anything else
Everyone here is our best friend
Camp is motivation; to sing, to dance, to not care what anyone else thinks
And camp is especially one thing: home
So to me, every time I sign or say my name
I get to feel every ounce of friendship, kindness, cheerfulness and joy that camp represents
I am named for every last one of you
And eight years later, I finally understand why
It’s because camp means family
It means finding personal strength in friends
And always expressing your self
“Zachary Lassen Lusby”, as silly as it sounds,
defines camp and that’s how I define me:
Someone that is self-assured, outgoing and open
– by Zachary Lassen Lusby, Vespers 2013
