Hoglake summers

Hoglake summers.

Well having read all of the Harry potter books cover to cover over the years, it was only natural that I go and see the new adaptation of the film the deathly Hallows, this Thanksgiving weekend. Actually what with the turkey overload and the only activity I could actually still manage after all that pie, sitting down in a darkened movie theatre to digest was perfectly welcomed, especially as I’ve been waiting desperately and patiently for a year now!

It was of course everything I hoped it would be…kind of similar to the book…well as much of the book you could cram into a film already hours long and in two parts!

Anyway…as I sat there caught up in the magic and with a wondrous sense of anticipation, it got me to thinking how much I would have loved to have gone to a school like Hogwarts. Ok so I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s fantasized about such things, but really, how fabulous would it be, to get involved in such amazing activities have exciting adventures and cool lessons and be surrounded by all my friends all day long!....

Wait a minute…..hang on to your broomsticks….. so the activities aren’t actually magical per se, and I can’t actually create potions, walk the grounds in my invisibility cloak (although that would be handy for bunk sweeps), or hide Horcruxes amongst the millions of different studios we have…. mainly because I would have to kill someone first and that’s just not an activity we do at camp, but when you actually think about the magic that is created at long lake every day, it truly is astounding.

 The way a kid can come to camp, timid, shy and unconfident in their abilities (a bit like Harry potter on his first day at Hogwarts) and after just 3 short weeks, they have magically been transformed into this amazing, creative and much more confident being.

 Strong bonds have been made, some for life, and a sense of accomplishment and team work that can only be brought out by like minded people. Also the great sense of togetherness, as if we were all in the same house team (Gryffindor of course, well, that’s just my preference) and the overwhelming sense that are all party to a secret magical world that only us Long Lakers’ know about.

So yes all in all, long lake is a bit Like Hogwarts in a sense, definitely somewhere to grow and learn new things, but most of all a place to discover the creative magic in all of us!