THANKFUL. SO VERY THANKFUL.

As we all find ourselves a bit out of sorts right now, celebrating what is undoubtedly our strangest Thanksgiving yet, it’s simply impossible for us to not again take stock of the past three years, especially this summer, and not feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the people that have supported and sustained us on this journey.

Thank you to the state of Maine for leading the way in helping many businesses, and especially camps, get open for the summer. Their detailed guidelines provided us with the blueprint and encouragement to safely operate, allowing Somerset and many of our friends in Maine camping to blaze a trail for the rest of the nation.

Thank you to our nurses, always the unsung heroes of every summer. While we fortunately had a safe, successful, and COVID-free summer, they nonetheless signed up to be on the front lines should anything have transpired. Like all the other medical personnel working tirelessly right now across our country, they’re our heroes.

Thank you to Chef Dakota and our dining hall staff, who worked far longer hours than usual to carry the smallest crew possible, always working masked in the hot and humid conditions of a bustling kitchen.

Thank you to our head staff and senior staff that barely took off any time and rolled up their sleeves with us every day to make sure that this unusual summer still had all the thrills, traditions, surprises, and joy that our campers expected and deserved. From The League to Somer Cup to the Somer Five and every evening activity and special event in between, they never missed a beat.

Thank you to our counselors, the backbone of everything we do. Two weeks of pre-camp quarantine followed by living for seven weeks inside our bubble was not easy. But you persevered and created something magical that our children so desperately needed. We can’t wait to see so many of you back in 2021, and here’s to hoping that we can see our international friends as well, whose culture and diverse perspectives add so much to our community.

Thank you to our families. Any summer, both deciding to send your daughter to camp and where to send her are huge decisions. And, oh yeah, during a pandemic. Thank you for your patience, for asking all the right questions, and ultimately giving us your faith and support.

And, of course, thank you to our campers. These kids endured so much this spring and continue to do so to this day. And through those five weeks of Somer ‘20, they put up with countless protocols and restrictions, never forgoing the spirit, camaraderie, friendship, and encouragement that makes Somerset so magical. We’re working hard every day to deliver an even more remarkable summer in seven months.

Better days are ahead for all of us, that’s for sure. And though this is not the Thanksgiving that any of us expected or ever wish to experience again, we are nonetheless so eternally grateful that Somerset is what is today because of all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

-JH