First Person: My Greatest Memories at Camp Canaras
Tucked into the beautiful woods of the Adirondacks, right on the scenic Upper Saranac Lake sits Camp Canaras, St. Lawrence's very own alumni camp, functioning eight weeks during the summer as a camp for alumni and family. Guests enjoy three glorious meals a day, water skiing, boating, swimming, Adirondack style cabins, and everything a perfect summer camp could have. I have had the wonderful opportunity to spend every summer at Canaras since I was a very little girl, 19 years to be specific. Words cannot begin to describe the wonders of camp. Since I have been attending Canaras with my family ever since I can remember, I have practically grown up around some of the most amazing SLU alumni. Camp Canaras is one of the most important things in my life, and is an instrumental factor in why I chose and love St. Lawrence.
St. Lawrence prides itself on our alumni network, and I have witnessed the power of it first hand. One of my most recent memories at camp was a chilly evening making s'mores on the porch of the main lodge. I stumbled upon some old SLU yearbooks and decided to look through them. Catching the eyes of numerous people surrounding me on the porch, I sat and listened to story after story of their time here on campus. Each of them, no matter how old the stories were, talked in such a vivid, loving way. Listening firsthand to the fond memories and the passion that each of them spoke with truly solidified my decision to attend SLU.
My best memories have been created at Canaras. Learning how to ride a bike, how to water ski, playing mermaid in the water, card games, talent shows. I formed life-long friendships with some of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. My siblings and I often reminisce about camp and it's the highlight of our year. Waking up every morning to the glistening Adirondack lake is an experience I hope everyone can have once in their life.
When I was a little girl, people asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I always said I wanted to go to St. Lawrence. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would actually end up here. Now I truly understand why each of them spoke with such passion about their St. Lawrence experience. In the short year and a half I have been on campus, I have made lifelong memories. St. Lawrence, in one way or another, has always been a part of me.
To fellow Canaras week seven attendees, thank you for being instrumental in my childhood and leading me to attend St. Lawrence University. To any potential students, the St. Lawrence community reaches far from just campus, and it's one I'm lucky to be a part of. Lastly, to Camp Canaras, thank you for being the most important aspect of my life. Words aren't able to describe the love I have for Canaras. I hope generations of alumni after me continue to fill the cabins of Canaras with their own wonderful memories.
