"The Tecumseh Effect." From a 2011 Torchbearer

"As I sit in my basement on Facebook, absorbed in my social life, listening to a playlist of all the theme songs of my weeks at camp, I can't take my mind of one topic. CAMP. I admit it. I am addicted to Camp Tecumseh. And I am almost positive that this case can not be cured by anything. This addiction is fed once a year in early June, when I get to go to the best place in the world. What other place can you feel so close to God that people break down in devos in faith or confusion, and leave with such a confidence that God is with them? Where else on earth can you get to camp by yourself and leave with 9 new best friends, some of which you may know for a very long time? Where else can you be an only child but leave with two older sisters? Where else can you have so much fun that going home seems like that Monday morning at school? Where else can you stand up on your chair at lunch and put flies on your friends? Where can you go where there is so much love and so much kindness from complete strangers? Where else can you ask someone "tell me more," and not feel awkward, because you are socially excellent? I could go on for all eternity of where else's about camp. We all know how great of a place camp is, I don't need to tell you that. But what we take away from camp differs for everyone. 


In my 5 years at camp T, I have realized something. I call it the Tecumseh Effect. The TE (if you didn't catch that it's the Tecumseh Effect) works in different ways depending on the person. Some people like camp because they meet new people, some like it because you get really close to God, and some like it because it is fun. BUT, the Tecumseh Effect embodies all three parts that I just mentioned. Camp to me is all three. But the short-term enjoyment is not the only thing that the Tecumseh Effect leaves us with. The Tecumseh Effect is what we do after we leave, the kind of person we are because of Camp Tecumseh. I know that I am a better Christian, friend, and all around better person from being a camper at Camp Tecumseh. I will miss my years as a camper at Camp T, but I will continue on to be a CILT and hopefully one day, a counselor. 

Camp T is one of the few places in this society where you can be yourself, praise God, and meet a bunch of new people in just one week. Tecumseh is the best summer camp ever and I know that it will continue to grow and be successful in the coming years. I love Camp Tecumseh and I am waiting to see where it takes me next."


by Emma Flynn, Teton Week 1 2011.

Week 2 Highlights

1. Bringing back the "Teton Girls Def." cheer.

2. Having campers from last year in my cabin and joking around with them all week.

3. Getting flies put on Teton to the extreme almost everyday this week.

4. Flash Mobbing to ridiculous carnival music at dinner on Wednesday night.

5. Girls being real and vulnerable during devotions, especially on Wednesday night.

6. My first sleepout at the Lookout Tower ever.

7. Playing "Fire Man" with the Pathfinder Unit...and it flopping.

8. I think this show choir clinic was the best that we've ever had. With that, teaching show choir with Jamie was hilarious and so fun.

9. Making new friends on nights off.

10. Singing "Order of the Oar" to a 9 year old in Cold Stone Creamery. 

Summer 2011 In Pictures

Staff training opening campfire costumes. We were the vicious storms that tore up camp. It was quite hilarious.

I love being reunited with people at camp. I love sitting and talking about real life things with this girl. I love how she keeps me grounded and focused on Christ.

Why go for good when you can go for GREAT!?

Peace, Love, CTDGs.

2nd Period Clinic is where it's at. Love my LV Coords.

Teshon Love.

Living the Dream

Here's the thing about working at camp. You constantly get to live the dream. Where else can you wake up and get 10 15-year-old girls out the door at 7:45 am all while getting them really pumped up to sing a ridiculously loud song at flagpole? Where else do campers run to the doors outside of the dining hall to try to hold the door for everyone because they really really want to be third? I love waking up in Teton cabin and being with my girls. Camp has flown by so far. My camera cord in in Kansas so I have no way of getting my pictures on my computer, but here is an overview of the summer so far.

10 Things I Loved About Staff Training
1. Welcoming new staff into the Tecumseh family
2. Joint Show Choir/Drama Clinic at closing campfire
3. The Coord Cart
4. Revealing partners via twitter
5. Playing Amazing Race with the Pathfinder Unit
6. Watching people walk into the Library on Friday night
7. Pathfinder devotions - it was great hearing everyone's vision for the summer
8. Beef's Undefeated Chapel
9. Creating a plan for Pathfinder themes for the summer
10. Touchstone Energy Camp Dance on Friday. Obvi.

10 Things I Loved About Week 1
1. Being called "Mom" all week long
2. Singing "Man in the Mirror" with show choir clinic
3. Doing the wobble with the Teton girls outside of Scheuman
4. Creating pet rocks (FreDrick Steven Teton) with the cabin
5. Teaching kids about social excellence
6. Watching the staff get more comfortable with their jobs
7. Girls opening up during devotions and sharing their hearts
8. Hanging out with my River Village friends on my nights off
9. Seeing God in Friday's chapel
10. Having an incredible cabin that kicked off the summer

There was a rumor going around that 2011 was going to be the best summer ever. So far, that rumor is turing out to be true. So here's to more creativity, relationship building, heart sharing, and just plain old fun that will be coming our way in 2011.

BLOG HOP. Part 2. Top 3 Style.

Pictures of 3 Things You Did This Past Year That You Really Loved
1. Mentored a great group of guys with an incredible team.

2. Planned a night of unity.

3. Spent Spring Break (and my 21st birthday) on a mission trip in NYC and growing closer to God.

3 Songs You Listened To A Lot This Year
1. LOVESICK by Mirror Men

2. Mean by T.Swift

3. Wavin' Flag AKA Summer 2010's Theme Song

3 People That Were Main Characters In Your Life This Year That You Didn't Know Before
1. Sarah Mooney. I met this girl at camp because she was going to be coming to Drake in the fall. I knew this girl needed to be a DG. Unfortunately for me, I was disaffilated so I couldn't recruit her. Luckily for me, she pledged. Sarah quickly became one of my best friends and she held my life together this year. She is always so true to herself and she taught me to be the same way. Having her at Drake helped me bring my two worlds together. I'm so happy to spend the summer and another full year with her.

2. Panhellenic Exec 2011 (Liz, Sarah, Rachel, Crystal, Brittany, & Emily). These are incredible women. They lead with confidence and values and re not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. They are so fabulous to work with and I am so lucky to see them every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. They've supported me when I've been stressed about things and I couldn't imagine having a better council to work with.

3. Emily Hanson. Ok, so I knew who Emily was before this year. But we hadn't really spoken that much. This year, we lived in big dorm together and everything changed. We quickly bonded over late nights in big dorm and DG Bible Study. My year would not have been the same without her, and I am so incredibly grateful we became close. She is strong, sassy, and really loves it when I tell her about my idea to wear our DG hats to chapter. I'm sad we won't be living together next year, but I am sure that will not make a difference in our friendship.

Don't forget to hop: Sarah, Alli, Sarah, Maggie, Mel, Annie, Molly, & Soaps

10 Things I'm Looking Forward To This Summer

1. Living the dream in Teton (as Sarah Wright would say).
2. Taylor Swift & NEEDTOBREATHE in Kentucky.
3. Being pen pals with so many people.
4. Wandering aimlessly around Walmart & Target on nights off.
5. Devotions under the beautiful Tecumseh sky.
6. Being in an environment where you are allowed to truly be yourself.
7. Working with Ben.
8. Having Sarah at camp with me.
9. Seeing old friends and making new friends.
10. Constantly having God on my mind.