A Farewell to Camp Sussex
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- November 17, 2013 - This week the property where Camp Sussex has stood since 1923 will be auctioned off. Since its inception through the end of the 2005 summer season, the camp was beautiful and thriving, serving as a surrogate home to tens of thousands of people during the summers. For many of these people, camp was the only "real" home they knew, as the balance of the year they lived in broken homes in dangerous neighborhoods.
For seven summers in the 1980's I called Sussex my home too. I started as a Junior Counselor, and worked my way up to Group Leader. Some of the best times of my life were spent on those hallowed grounds, and I made some of my closest friendships there.
When I was asked if I wanted to visit it and see it for one last time before it was to be gone forever, it was a very tough decision. I hadn't been there since its closing, and didn't really want my last in-person viewing of it to be of this old, decaying place. I wanted to remember it in all its beauty, vitality, and glory. However, I also felt that I had to go and "pay my last respects". I liken the camp's passing to the dying of a dear old friend -- going to their funeral is by no means a fun experience, but it's something you must do.
It was fitting that it was a grey and gloomy day -- perfectly matching my mood. With each new sight, I felt sicker and sicker. I soon began feeling numb -- not physically, but emotionally. It's a human defense mechanism.... when we are exposed to unpleasant things for any length of time, we begin to shut down our senses, so that we don't completely break down.
It was, as expected, a very depressing experience. Yet I'm glad I did it -- my way of saying goodbye and paying tribute to the place that has, and always will, mean so much to me. This album ends with a camp brochure full of photos showing the camp in its beauty -- the way I always hope to remember it.
Day is done, gone the sun, / From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; / All is well, safely rest, God is nigh
I went there for 3 summers in the late 80s. I stayed in bunk 2 that is at 1:02. I remember having to take stairs up to get into the bunk so seeing the picture so many years later is amazing. Thanks for posting these.
How sad. I loved that place. 73 to 75 or very close to it.. Then worked as waiter for a year.
Some of my very best memories..
I'm quite saddened. I've no idea that Sussex closed. I was a camper in '96, stayed in Bunk L. It was quite scary at first because it was the first time I been away from home but I don't regret it one bit.I enjoyed my summer there and I'll miss Sussex.
Thanks Italiano. No, unfortunately I know nothing about that video you mention. If I were you, I would put a post on the three Camp Sussex Facebook pages. They get a LOT of attention from Camp alumni.
think i was there from 94 to 98... have so many great memories.. innocent fun to stealing panties and hanging them on the flag poles.... I'm definitely emotional at the moment... so sad...
Thanks for the comment. In case you haven't already seen it, make sure you check out my other one, Camp Sussex Good Times. And try and play Madonna's "This Used to Be My Playground" in the background. I had it timed perfectly to that song, and the lyrics were perfect. Unfortunately, UA-cam muted it because it was copyright-protected. ua-cam.com/video/EdZlNRBBGLI/v-deo.html
Apparently they muted the song. That stinks. I thought I did it all legally, as I paid Amazon to download the song, and thought I was therefore cleared to use it. It was Madonna's "This Used to be My Playground". Without the song, the video loses 90% of its meaning, in my humble opinion.