CAMP ENCORE-CODA

Dear Jamie,

    Thanks again for another wonderful summer for Sophia. She thrives at Encore/Coda, deepening her appreciation of friends, music, work, pleasures, collective and individual accomplishments. It’s magical to see how happy this makes her be.

    Could you again send me several brochures for her school (which sent another child) and our local music store. I’ll help get the word out about how special you all are.

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Jamie,

    I wanted to take a moment to thank you for having me at camp twice this summer. It was great to see you, Ellen, Hannah, Molly as well as the entire staff and campers. Before last summer I had lost track of how important the camp is in my life.

    You see, Encore/Coda is the place where the priorities are straight. Seeing young (and not so young) campers playing "Twinkle, twinkle" and then seeing the other campers playing Beethoven or Coltrane, all the while enjoying the support of the entire camper body. This is what it’s all about. The support of each individual effort to better themselves, reminds me that the rest of the world has a long way to go before that ideal is in place out here. There is a real need for many people to have these ideals.

    Encore/Coda is not only about the music though. I remember many speeches you made concerning being a good neighbor and a good community member. The weekly trash pick up sessions and the idea that there are no locks at camp provide a good lesson of life. Again another example of how the ideal world would function. Unfortunately, the world is not ideal, a reason that a trip to Encore/Coda is a true get-away.

    You have much to be proud about. Coming in for a short visit really accentuates all of the changes you have made. I am not sure if the changes are as apparent to you as they are to someone like myself who knows the camp, but is always astounded with the latest changes. Your "plan" is sound (pun intended) and your plan is what makes the camp continue to grow in its current positive direction.

    Again, thanks for letting people like myself be a part of your plan. It means a great deal to me to be associated with a camp like Encore/Coda. I hope to continue this relationship for many years to come. Have a great end of the year!

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Dear Jamie and Ellen,

    I am sorry to take so long to write to you, but as you have been aware I was travelling after camp finished and things here have only begun to settle down. The reason I am writing is to thank you for such a wonderful summer. I think that without a doubt it has been one of my most enjoyable summers in a long time, thanks to you.

    From the moment I arrived at Encore/Coda, there was an amazing aura, which was apparent throughout my time there. It is difficult for me to be specific about what I mean by this, but it is an atmosphere created by you. I shall never forget the friendliness, the warmth, and the music of both the staff and the children. I think it is this that makes Encore/Coda so special for so many people.

    I feel that the running of the camp was always smooth and organized with a good structure to support any member of staff. If I had any problems, I wouldn’t have had any concerns about approaching any of the head staff. The training and information you gave me was all very helpful and I felt very prepared by the time the children arrived. Thanks once again for making my summer so enjoyable!