saugatuck

 I have a few points in my life that read like a coming of age story, most though have to do with my reaction to bad or difficult things like my health.  But one summer, late in middle school a bunch of my friends and I went to summer camp and the former camp owned by the Chicago Presbytery in Saugatuck.  

Being teens, I don't think any of us were too thrilled with being stuck at church camp for the week. But somehow almost all of my church friends were on this trip.  When we got to camp we found out that our cabins were going to be a bit away from everyone else, on the corner of the property right by the public beach famous for attracting gay men. As we settled in our counselors welcomed us and told us that the beach was a gay beach and we would be raped if we tried to cross it (yes they actually did) knowing that it was a straight shot to get to town.

Of course as teens we focused on the realization that we could escape camp and really did not buy into the fear they were trying to sell. So that is what we did, we figured out the timing of everything and every morning we disappeared and ran into town crossing the dreaded beach. Surprisingly, we were able to do this every day.  
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The home base for our fun was the drugstore, a beautiful relic of the past complete with a soda fountain in the back, it is still there today.  We spent the week exploring, running around town, talking, playing and pretty much being young teens experimenting with everything our teenage brains could imagine, succumbing to the impulse of our freedom. 

Of course, we realized  silly it was that the counselors thought we would be afraid of Gay people. We were aware enough to know that people just did not go after kids like that and honestly being in our generation anytime we were fear bated we basically did what they were trying to keep us from since we knew it was usually full of ****. For us it really reinforced the knowledge that when adults wanted to control us they laid out fear and created a tension of both acceptance of being gay along with a realization that it was something that needed to be kept secret, at least as a 13 year old.

Unfortunately, there is always that one who went too far, and someone ended up in the hospital and  we had to be questioned about everything we did. I know if anyone was punished, but I do remember sleeping for like 24 hrs when I got home. For me it was one of the best weeks where I really got to learn about life and look at things from a very different perspective.

That is why it was important for me to come back to Saugatuck and remember that time.  On Friday, I went to the drugstore that was our base and told the story to the lady minding the store. It was funny as a tear came to my eye remembering that time and sharing it with her. Of course, She laughed and said that was what teens do and though annoying, they deal with it all summer and chalk it up to kids being kids. She also told me that we probably were not as bad and rebellious as we thought we were, probably true.

The rest of this weekend I spent at a camp outside of Saugatuck, another LGBTQ camp. This was another fun weekend meeting people and listening.  The camp was typically midwestern with an emphasis on hospitality and welcome for the very different groups of folks that were here and even though we did not know a sole here we were invited to a doggie birthday party where joy got her fill of doggie cake, other treat, toys and playtime. It was fun to see. On Friday night though we had a truly spiritual experience. That night they had a bonfire and wennie roast followed by a talent/karaoke show which was so much fun! As that was winding down we were beckoned outside to see something cool, the amazing northern lights (picture is above). What an amazing experience as we all stood in wonder at the beauty.  At that moment, no other conversations happen beyond the reflection on natures wonder.

For me, like the eclipse, it was another reminder that God is ever-present. The feeling was not exclusively because of the lights but to be surrounded by the diversity and welcome of strangers.  It reminded me of that time when I was a child and my mind was opened to learning more about myself, though this time it was not about exploring what was new, but reinvigorating the need I have to embrace aw and wonder, to spite looking for what I think I should.

I am not sure how much I will have next week, today I am going to head to go to Ikea outside of Indianapolis to look for a new bed topper, and I am going to stay at a local distillery with harvest host then Tuesday I will to my parents house for a couple days to hang out with dad, get an oil change, sort through stuff, and restock the van.

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