Greetings! Stevie Wonders here, writing to you from my home in Denton, TX. As the summer approaches, just about everything I hear, smell, see, touch, and, oddly enough, taste, brings my mind to the Augusta 80 acres…the memories of the past 3 summers are not enough as I have waited too long for the magic of music, CTF, ninja, philosophy playstations with Stephen and Hansel, morning meteor strikes, costumes, and the anticipation of the completely unexpected adventures that invite our spirit, curiosity, and humor out to play. This year I’ll be creating new evening programs and playstations as a Master of Fun and Games!

I’ll also be heading to camp with a new qualification; I’ve finally completed my degree in philosophy. I loved studying abstract concepts because they drove me to examine everything from pinecones and ants to the deepest questions of human existence. Philosophy is everything, just from a different angle. If anything, you can at least expect there to be never enough questions, rarely answers, and always good conversation

I’ve had a particular goal in mind for the past few years: teaching in Japan. As I am finally confronted with the completion of my degree, programs like Teach for America, JET, and the Peace Corps are all examples of the work I wish to dedicate myself to for a few years. After the summer season I’ll be heading abroad in search of a variety of volunteer opportunities.

The day is not complete if I haven’t packed every minute with passion and pursuit of my dreams. Music is the root of all my passion- there is music in everything (just like philosophy!) and I am happiest when I can sing along to life’s music. More literally, I have been spending hours and hours in my garage carefully crafting musical instruments. If the finish dries in time, I’ll bring one along. Want to learn? Join me! If you can’t find me this summer, follow the music -- hopefully you’ll find me with the Camp Augusta garage band, the drum circle, or perhaps roaming the woods with a song.

I am so excited and honored to be with you all this summer and I look forward to squeezing every bit of music, nature, and oatmeal out of every day!