It’s fitting that our summer camp clean-up at Geneva Point Center, in preparation for Camp Aurora, falls on this holiday weekend. Memorial Day is synonymous with service; service above self.
Service Above Self
President Ronald Reagan is credited with reviving the practice of honoring Memorial Day and its meaning. He shared about the importance of this day in a speech he gave in 1986:
“Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It’s a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It’s a day to be with the family and remember.”
This Memorial Day we too remembered but the best way to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice is to create a global community where such sacrifice is no longer necessary. Even though it’s hard to envision, I do believe we can create a world where people live for others. With that mindset, all kinds of possibilities open-up.
Joyfully Working Together
One of the possibilities that opens-up through service is relationship. Serving together creates bonds. You can pay all sorts of money for fun 
activities but there is nothing like cranking up the music, while singing along together as you move mountains of mulch!
Geneva Point Center is a non-profit and simply doesn’t have the staff to carry out all the tasks involved in getting the facility up and running for the summer. That’s why 31 energetic youth and young adults stepped up to clean scores of cabins, clear the beach of debris, mulch the pathways through the woods, paint the floors and vacuum the furniture. It was a world-wind of activity!
Build A Better World
Geneva Point Center, which hosts Camp Aurora each year has a beautiful motto that resonates for us:
“From this place go forth and build a better world.”
We all left Geneva Point Center, better for having been there, and for having served.
Camp Aurora is a week long summer camp for Elementary. Middle and High School students at Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. It starts during the last week of June.
