Dear FPC campers, families, and staff,

I hope your October is going well! It’s Megan, popping in with a personal update: I have made the difficult yet exciting decision to step down as Camp Director of Friendly Pines Camp.

This decision is one I have carefully considered for over a year, and while it brings a big change for me personally, I know in my heart it’s the right path for me to follow. If there’s anything I’ve learned in my time as an FPC camper and staff member, it’s the importance and ability of getting to know my inner self, honing the skills I learned at camp, and making (sometimes difficult) choices for myself.

As I embark on this new adventure, I want to make sure our families and staff know that things will run the same as they ever have, and folks can continue to expect the quality and care they’ve come to associate with Friendly Pines. My family will continue to own the camp, and I myself will remain a member of our Board of Directors.

I’m delighted to watch as our previous Assistant Director, Adam Esposito, steps up to the plate as Camp Director. His unwavering love and loyalty will continue to be an asset for FPC, and my family and I have the utmost confidence in Adam’s ability to be “in the captain’s chair”. With Adam at the helm of FPC’s incredible team, coupled with the traditions that make camp such a special place, Friendly Pines will continue to thrive. I’m confident that the campers and staff will enjoy the same wonderful experiences they’ve come to expect.

FPC is and will continue to be my favorite place on earth, and I’m ready to continue reflecting on the girl I was at camp and exploring the woman I’ve become thanks to this magical place. I’m not entirely sure what’s “next” for me, but hopefully something that gives me a similar sense of being a part of something as beautiful as camp is.

Leaving this role is certainly bittersweet. I am beyond grateful for the years I have spent with all of you and the cherished memories we’ve shared. I am deeply proud of what we have built together, and I’m filled with gratitude for the trust and support you’ve shown me along the way.

To the campers I’ve had the pleasure of seeing grow and learn at camp, I will miss you desperately; your laughter and wonder are why I stuck around for as long as I did.

To the parents and families of campers, thank you for letting me be a part of your child’s camp experience; speaking from my own experience and growth as an FPC camper, you’ve done an incredible service to your children by providing them with the opportunity to go to camp.

To the FPC staff, I too thank you for the hard work and commitment to making camp a magical, safe, and fun environment for all the kiddos who join us each summer. I have made so many personal friendships with the staff that I will continue to cherish for the rest of my life, and I look forward to visiting you all around the world!

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I look forward to staying connected and watching Friendly Pines continue to grow and flourish. Should anyone wish to contact me, you may use my personal email address, meganemay820@gmail.com, to do so.

Here’s to many more summers filled with laughter, memories, and lifelong friendships. Take care, everyone!

As a final thought, I would normally say “To Friendly Pines, I leave my heart”, but in my case, it really should be “To Friendly Pines, thank you for giving me my heart”.

Yours & s’mores, forever and always,

Megan

Former Camp Director