JoyFully @ BSC 2025
As we step into our 78th magical summer on the mountain, Lauren and I have been reflecting on camp as an antidote- a place of healing and repair, individually and as a community. Growing up (and parenting) in today’s world feels overwhelming. The pressures are real, and we often find ourselves wondering what’s being lost in the rush. Without spacious, uninterrupted time to simply be, we risk forgetting how essential joy, play, and connection are to childhood—and to all of us.
Camp has always been a kind of medicine. Healing happens here in so many ways: by reconnecting with nature and the rhythm of the natural world…by learning how to live, play, and grow alongside others…by stepping outside our comfort zones, facing fears, and discovering we’re braver than we thought. Most importantly, healing happens when kids realize that their authentic selves are more than enough. That they matter; that they belong.
This spirit of tikkun olam has always been woven into Blue Star’s mission—and this year, we believe the very best medicine for these times is something simple: JOY. Joy might feel like an unfamiliar word these days. But we’re leaning into it—boldly and intentionally—because it’s what we believe is needed. Not the kind of joy that’s loud or performative, but the kind that’s grounded, expansive, and real.
A joyful path invites us to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with what makes us feel truly alive. What happens when we’re given permission to linger in joy? What does it feel like to have time stretch out in front of us—with no expectations?
At Blue Star, we program with purpose to create that space. Campers dive deeply into their chosen Blue Star Options over multiple days to find their flow. Free swim isn’t just about cooling off—it’s about choosing what lights you up. For some, joy is found flying across the waterfront inflatables or in a game of four square. For others, it’s sitting in a crazy creek by the water with a close friend. The “what” matters less than the freedom to explore, express, and experience joy on our own terms.
And at camp…joy shows up everywhere:
In full-bellied songs in the dining hall.
In bouncing, laughing chaos on the lake.
In a spontaneous, spirited ping pong match.
In a quiet moment with the goats at farm n’ barn.
In the messy magic of pottery.
In a new card game shared in the cabin before lights out.
Every one of these moments is a chance to feel joy. So this summer, let’s keep it simple and live JoyFully @ BSC!
