““Camp Rising Sun was a transformative experience for me as a first and second year camper in 1987 and 1988. I had little to no direct exposure to other cultures, let alone boys my age that had vastly different thoughts and upbringing. Eight weeks growing playing, discussing, and living with 59 other boys allowed me to develop sensitivities that would mold my growing mind and soul while changing my way of interacting and thinking forever. The intensity of the relationships were indescribable and lasting. I learned leadership with a natural transition rather than a forced competition. I wanted my daughter to experience these feelings and level of personal growth and relationships just as I did. I feared that both the world had changed and that information, ability to travel, and communication shifted since my experience—maybe my time at camp was outdated and irrelevant. I was worried camp would have a far lesser impact and that 4 weeks was not enough to develop the same meaningful relationships. And I was concerned that the same traditions I held sacred were no longer used and the essence of camp was different or lost. Thankfully, this was not true; she gained the same intense relationships and meaning as I did but, due to the ease of access in today’s age, it was almost sped up and started at a faster pace. But, in spite of these obstacles being lifted, quality human interaction and relationships seem actually harder to obtain now. Camp now is able to bring simplicity and authenticity which is a rare commodity into action in an efficient manner. Traditions may have evolved but the basic level of interacting, learning, and self growth is very vibrant based on my daughter’s experience. My advice for other potential legacy parents is to allow the nature of camp to take its course without adding expectations and try to have a four week experience so the legacy campers could feel a level of equality with their fellow campers.””