From The Mailbag - Chris Cato

The impact of Camp Hale shows up everyday in my life:

The natural environment and people at Camp Hale are usually behind the impact on our lives that we credit camp for. So here is bit of what I came to realize as these very thoughts surfaced in my mind.

* First period swim lessons were often very cool if not down
right cold before we got wet.  But I never thought, as I was coaxed and tricked into getting into the water, that I would be doing the same thing for campers in about ten years.

* When I struggled to swim my first quarter mile as though it was a forced march, I never thought that I would be swimming a mile a day just to clear my head.

* When I hiked to get my six peak and big five awards as a
camper, I never thought that those hikes would be a metaphor for putting one foot in front of the other to achieve a task that seems impossible.

* When I notice the moon and stars at night now, I realize that
there are countless numbers of people young and old that have no concept of their true beauty and wonder, because they have never had the opportunity to see a meteorite shower or a full moon so bright you could read a book by its light.

* When I hear the meteorologist say that there is a chance sighting of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights), I can say that I have seen it several times over Squam Lake.

* When I hear the sound of a loon that is often used in movies, I know that it is a loon. Too many people have no clue.

When I was a junior in High School at the beginning of the summer break I had no idea of what do with my life, let alone the next two months.  As I walked with my brother contemplating that very issue, the guy that taught me to swim and encouraged me to reach seemingly impossible heights stepped into my path and asked-

"What are you doing this summer?"

I replied, "I don't know".

"Well then, you are going to work at Camp Hale as a counselor."

That was the day my life changed for the better.  I never knew that that first experience would lead me to a career in youth development.  But it did and I am so grateful for the people that were at Camp Hale when I was at the age of being influenced by just about anything.

Special thanks to Jack Costa (RIP) for teaching me, inspiring and pulling me off the street just when the street began to pull at me.

I encourage all of you to share how Camp Hale has impacted you too. I have many more things to share as well...

Chris Cato
Camper > Counselor > Waterfront Director > Program Director > Assistant Director > Youth Services Coordinator > Alumni > Camp Hale Alumni Association member > CHAA Board of Directors member > Youth Development Professional