What started as an adventure to get away from home with a few grade school buddies for a couple of weeks, Deerhorn has become a second family for George. Each summer, he has become more and more attached to Deerhorn. One of the first things he would often ask when we would pick him up from the bus was if he could go for longer the following summer. And, each subsequent summer, while his stay was longer, we received fewer and fewer letters from him…because he was having the time of his life! Don’t worry, he shared all of his stories when he returned. The lifelong friendships George has made at Deerhorn are special, and whenever he runs into a Deerhorn pal, they usually greet each other with a hug.
Over the years, we have learned that Deerhorn boys have their own language. I remember the first time I asked, “What is a koogee?” One of the other Deerhorn terms we learned is “nigh.” “Nigh” might be shorthand for “nice,” but it doesn’t seem to mean just nice. “Nigh” sums up all of the character traits that Deerhorn values, including optimism, generosity, honesty, humbleness, and kindness. What we love about Deerhorn is that each summer George returns home a little more “nigh.” Since he was young, George has always been a kid with a smile on his face, a sensitivity for others, a love of learning, and an optimistic outlook. Deerhorn has helped to cultivate these qualities in George, and for this, we are grateful and proud.
George is also a kid with a sense of adventure and an eagerness to try new things. (When he was six years old, he ate a live larva while visiting the Amazon rain forest…the prize was his first sip of Coca-Cola.) Deerhorn has given him an appreciation for the outdoors and the opportunity to learn new things, including sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, horseback riding…and singing campfire songs. The Northwoods will forever hold a special place in his heart.
Deerhorn, particularly his experience with Voyagers, also has taught George important lessons about leadership and setting a good example for others. We love receiving letters from his Koogee counselors each year. One noted how “George is teaching the other kids how to play euchre,” while another said, “George naturally carries himself in a way that has rewarded him with an incredible reputation with campers and staff alike.” As George gears up for his sixth summer at Deerhorn as a Leader, we are excited to see how he continues to learn and grow, and, of course, to become a little more “nigh.”
