Reflections From the Shores | Quinn Korach’s Sermon

Parents and Alumni, please read Quinn Korach’s sermon. I think it gives you a glimpse into how so many of our counselors feel about their Kawaga experience. Like so many, Quinn instills enthusiasm in everything he does at camp, which you’ll get the sense of from what he wrote.

Ty

Shabbat Shalom. My name is Quinn Korach and this is my tenth summer on the shores of Lake Kawaguesaga. I want to start off with a poem that was read to me many summers ago by my counselor, Eli Schrayer, on our final night together of our CIT Summer:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

When I was thinking what I should speak about today, the only thing that came to mind was how jealous I was of all Kawaga’s campers. You all have the incredible opportunity to be a camper here and whenever I coach a league game or watch y’all around camp during Open Areas, I constantly wish I could step into your shoes and return to my days as a camper.
The CITs have a saying “CIT Summer, no regrets!” This shouldn’t only apply to CITs, however. With only one week left in the first session, it is crucial for every single one of you to do everything at camp like it is your last time doing it. Go into the two leagues games today and play as if they are your last. Go into today’s Open Areas and do something you can’t do at home. Build that canoe rack, finish your contract of 2250 soccer juggles, and participate in the regatta. Achieve every single goal you have set for yourself and overachieve in that goal. Maybe even cut your nails and change your sheets. Time at camp is fleeting; don’t let it slip away while you still have things left to accomplish.
A few days ago, Ty said to me, “Be excellent always, in all ways.” Leave camp this summer feeling like you did everything you could to make your summer excellent. Every single day, savor every moment, memory, and activity of camp. Whether you are a Chip or a CIT, a first-year camper or a tenth-year camper, you are only here for so long so rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Thank you, and shabbat shalom.