I just spent the weekend at a camp reunion.  The camp I spent 15 summers at is in the middle of the wilderness in Algonquin Park.  It has no road access nor electricity in the cabins.  It was always a return to a simpler way of life, an opportunity to learn about ourselves in a place tucked away from the rest of society and to share in the beauty of nature with a group of whom I consider an incredible gathering of other women and girls.  

Little has change in the last 10 years I have been away.  The same rocks jut out in the paths I use to navigate in the dark ( many times without a flashlight), the same trees shade the cabins – perhaps a little taller but not by much and the same smells and sounds emanate from the surroundings like the scents of baking  from the kitchen, the cedars by the lodge, and the fires up at Woodcraft.  The bell still tolled to let us know it was morning dip and the singing and laughter in the dining room made me smile just as it always has. 

While my friends from days gone by have gotten a little older and now have important careers or marriages or children, they are the same at heart.  They share with me an incredible love of the camp we grew up in and that which shaped us into the women we are today.  The same giddiness of the first day at camp was felt by all and the tears and hugs that occured at every departure was just the same as it always was.

But there was one significant change.  To my amazement, even as removed as the camp seemed, evidence of technology was able to make its way into the protected wilderness of Algonquin.   Most noticeably, the camp now has cell phone reception and wireless access.  With this comes such a shift in the entity of camp.  So while I felt far away from the stresses of  the busy city life, I could instantly be back in touch by picking up my cell phone and dialing right from with in the rustic wooden cabin only lit by my flashlight. 

We were told stories of how a camp counsellor saved herself from a baby bear who had mistakenly entered her tent by using her cell phone to call the camp office for help and how the staff are now able to have wireless access use of laptops in the lodge.  Long gone are the days when handouts are run off on a ditto machine and we had to wait for hours to use the one and only camp payphone.

Several of my cabinmates, who were well versed in Web 2.0 tools, sent photos and text updates of the trip up to camp using their cell phones and facebook applications.  We had comments on our trip before we even set foot on the property.  Even my husband was shocked to see his wife’s photo appear on the screen just hours after I left.  

But I have to say, as strange as it was, it was so fun!  We were immediately connected with many alumna’s from all over the world who could not make it to this year’s reunion.  They sent well wishes our way or asked us to swim in the lake for them.  How wonderful it was to share the experience beyond just the immediate cabin of friends.  It is no wonder the students I teach are using these tools day in day out.  They are always connected.  They can reach out and seek support and feedback 24 hours a day. 

Having reconnected to many staff on facebook prior to the reunion saved time in getting caught up.  We already knew what many of our friends had been up to having seen photos of their kids, homes and partners.  Now that I am back at home, it is nice to think that I will be able to keep in better touch with many of these incredible women. 

For me, the world seemed to become surprisingly smaller this weekend.