Paul Birrittella, Age 23, from Chippewa Falls WI
I attended Camp Manitou as a 14 and 15 year old. Needless to say the spirit never left me and at the age of 17 I was lucky enough to be hired to work in the kitchen washing dishes and serving food. It was during this summer that I developed many of my most cherished relationships which have survived to this day. With no intentions of ever leaving, I spent the next two summers as a counselor followed finally by one summer as the Facilities Supervisior. Camp is something that sticks with you your entire life. Things that constantly remind me of Manitou are the cold mornings, the stars, and the kids. As an employee I thought I went back for the freinds and the memories, and those things are awsome in their own right, but after a few years of being away it's easily realized that the kids are what made those memories and strengthened those friendships. For me, I specifically miss taking kids camping to Herde Lake, Chumas Cabin, the Point, or even just the south field. I think that specific memory is at the center of this journey. It's one more camping trip for the kids. I hope I can give some children, even just one, the opportunity to experience the outdoors that I had.