YMCA Camp Gorham: you, silly goose!

Every time I visit YMCA Camp Gorham, I'm blown away by the craftsmanship in the dining hall. The beautiful woodwork embodies intention and tradition.

This summer, it was even more meaningful watching Zach Eigenbrodt continue to make the camp his own. He brought a few CITs along for our tour, and hearing them speak about the impact camp has had on them—and how they hope to pass that on next year—was incredibly powerful.

I also got to hear first-hand about the incredible work of Camp Corral, which provides a life-changing camp experience for children of wounded, ill, and fallen military service members. One CIT, who stayed on after the program ended, shared how much the dog tag art wall in the dining hall meant to him.

My favorite moment, though, was watching a counselor carry around with a goose statue, the camp's official "Silly Goose." It rotates counselor to counselor as a fun reminder to keep camp playful and joyful. It was hilariously out of place and perfectly in place all at once, reinforcing the term "camp magic" and the power of play.

Huge thanks to Zach, YMCA Camp Gorham, and the YMCA of Greater Rochester for the invitation to visit!