Mid-Summer Campfire

Howdy Circle F Family,

One of the longest traditions at Circle F are our Camp Fires. When you think of a camp fire you probably think of smore's and silly songs and the like. Our traditional camp fires are a bit different. We gather the entire camp around a huge bonfire. Then we give campers and counselors opportunities to speak about camp and what it means to them. The Mid-Summer Campfire features campers and counselors who have been coming to camp for more than 4 years. It is a great honor to be chosen to speak. The speakers seem to spend more time thinking and writing their speech than I devoted to my college entrance essay. I wish parents could see their campers deliver their speeches. It is truly amazing to see and hear campers speak about how camp has changed them. Over the next few days we will be posting some of the speeches.

Here is a speech from Getta Lombard our photographer and videographer:

I first came to Circle F 17 years ago. I have spent more than half of my life at this camp and have been greatly influenced by, not only this place, but the friendships I have formed here. My first year as a camper, I had a counselor named Steph. Each year I came back to camp, she was always here and usually my counselor. Through the years we have kept in touch, grown closer together, and now I cannot imagine my life without her. I introduced her to her husband, was maid of honor in her wedding and present at the birth of her baby. She has been such an influence on my life and I would not have her if it was not for this place. In 1994, my 3rd year as a camper, I met a great group of friends that I still have in my life today. Mike Langieri and Blake Yost were among 2 of these friends. Even though we usually only saw each other during the summer, there is a bond between us that cannot be broken. We have been there for each other through the greatest and roughest moments in each others lives, and I know they will continue to be in my life regardless of where our lives may take us. Besides the friendships that I have made at Circle F, I continued to come back here for the consistency this place provided for me in my life. No matter what was happening at home during the year, I knew when I came back to Circle F that my friends would be here, everything would be the same, it was a comfortable and stable environment that I craved as a child. My first year as a counselor was 1999, it was one of the greatest moments for me because finally I was a counselor, I had waited so long to be one, and I was able to start giving back to the place I loved most. In 2000, I met Murray and he was been a great friend ever since. Sometimes in the real world, you meet new people who become your friends, but the friends I have from Circle F are the ones I know I can count on and the ones I know will be there. A year ago today, I had brain surgery. My little sister, Rachel, was a counselor here, and I wanted more than anything to be here with her and the rest of my Circle F family instead of in a hospital room. Even though I have not been to camp since 2003, Rachel, Diana, Murray, and even some of my previous campers called to make sure I was okay. That was one of the hardest moments in my life but I found comfort in knowing that I had the support of Circle F to help get me through. This year, I wanted to come back to camp, not only because I love this place and what it has done for me, but for the friends I knew would be here this summer, Mike, Blake, Murray, Luis, Diana, Rachel, and all my campers that are now counselors, Sarah, Clare, Chelsea. This place can consume you and help you to grow as an individual. By embracing who you are and being true to yourself, you can meet lifelong friends, who don’t judge you, who love you for the person you are and will be there always. My life would not be the same without Circle F, I am grateful for the friends and memories I have here and I am blessed that God led my steps one day out to Circle F.

Fantastic Wishes,
Roger and the whole gang