Special Report: Junior Farewell

On the last day of camp, 9-11 holds a very special sending off ceremony for its oldest campers. The Junior Farewell is a way for those who won't be able to come back as campers to share with the rest of camp what SEP means to them, and to say goodbye. 

Rising Juniors each get a moment to speak freely about how they feel about the end of camp. At the end of their speech they place an item in an SEP time capsule, explaining what makes it so important to them. Some of the items chosen this summer include a Dutch version of a map of America; cough drops from a camper who was battling a summer cold; a suite-signed memento from hall decorations; a burned playlist of favorite songs from the summer; the remains of an extremely handy roll of duct tape; and a plate from O-Hill dining hall.

A brief selection of quotes from the event:

"I've gotten enough out of SEP to hopefully last the three years until I can come back as a counselor"

"Advice to freshman and sophomores...don't take your time for granted!"

"I can say without a doubt that I've made some of my best friends at this camp"

"The highlight of my summer, and maybe of the year, too"

 "Every year I came a little bit further out of my comfort zone...it's one of the most amazing places on earth"

"I never thought four years ago that I would count down the days waiting for SEP to start"

 "My counselor and I had so many funny and enlightening conversations"

"It takes a really special, awkward group of people, and really patient, awkward counselors to put up with me, and you all pulled it off"