after a long night of being half awake on the couch, it was finally time to welcome the final day of nbtsc. i had spent most of my night chatting with friends, and signing directories. which are the yearbooks of nbtsc.
it took me a while to stuff my sleeping bag in my suitcase, but i made it just in time to put my bag in the pile going to monroe park in eugene. then i helped bring my friend natalie’s bags over to the car she was leaving with.
the breakfast was short, and the announcements were bittersweet. i was caught up in the feelings of leaving that wonderful camp for my final time as a camper to remember our hug number for the rest of the year, but my friends were quick to get started, as if it were a competition.
my advisor christian was instructing folks on where to go with a speaker strapped to their chest, making announcements into the microphone so that everyone could hear. i wished i had thought of using the speaker like that sooner.
the goodbyes were hard, even with the folks i would be seeing again in just one short week (the vermont session of nbtsc.) i made it through with only a few tears.
i got the privilege of being on the bus with jr staffer fred, who i’ve known since my first year, and will! a staffer i’ve known since 2022. i was thrilled to have such wonderful company for such a long trip. i spent the majority of it chatting up a storm with the folks near me.
when the time finally came to an end, having dropped off the airport folks, and the amtrak campers, it was time for me and about 6 other campers to be at the park. i was being picked up by my friend’s roommate to travel up to portland and spend the week between sessions with other campers.
we just barely fit our luggage into the car, with help from my two friends, and the staffers with us. then said our final goodbyes.
i will never forget you nbtsc. see you at vermont!
Ophelia, camper & culminati