Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself.
— Mahatma Gandhi
In 2016 I led eight high school students on a three week journey to the Uttarakhand state in northern India. After first staying at a school in the small village of Chaukori we ventured over eight hours on a nauseating drive through one lane winding mountain roads to reach the village of Munsyari. After a sleepless night in a new location, we packed our gear and headed uphill towards the snow peaked mountains piercing the sky. Our destination was Kahliya Top, a 12,000 footer laying in the shadows of the Indian Himalayan high peaks. We would first spend the night 2,000 feet below the top to help acclimate before making our summit push. We had already been in the country for over a week so the students were sluggish, and some even fighting illness, as we slowly made our way up the trail. We all slept restlessly in our tents that night as cold and snow came upon us. Despite the weather we still made an attempt for the summit. Plowing through waist deep snow and steep rock scrambles we were rewarded at the top when the clouds broke, just long enough to take in the breathtaking view of the giant peaks surrounding us. They were so close it felt like we could touch them. Even while gasping for breath, everyone smiled. This was joy earned.
While perhaps less dramatic, our day hike to Mount Mansfield last summer was no less impactful. An hour drive out of camp along Vermont country roads led us to the state park. We started our walk up a gravel road, newly reestablished after the powerful floods of 2023. We made a stop to consult the map and then continued on a flat carriage road. Quickly, though, we made a left turn and began the uphill slog. After passing giant boulder deposits and overhangs, using teamwork and a rope to navigate a sheer rock face, and scurrying over several rock scrambles, we broke through the treeline to a sun drenched panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, an expansive countryside, and the glimmering lake below. And while sweaty and winded from the climb, the campers and counselors alike expressed only smiles, feeling accomplished and joyful.
The essence of camp is fun. There is no shortage of whimsy, silliness, and late night giggles in the cabin. There are funny lyrics in some of our songs and jokes and humor are part of our love language with each other. And yet at Brown Ledge we also challenge ourselves to go one step further, to find joy. And you don’t have to capture a mountain summit to achieve it. It could be a successful barrel roll in a kayak, or maybe hitting the bullseye in archery, perhaps it’s even cantering in the riding ring for the first time. And as the quote above from Ghandi explains, joy may also be achieved just by trying. Taking on a challenge can be joyful in itself. We do not always have to achieve the zenith to feel accomplishment. Most importantly though is that joy is enduring. It leaves indelible memories and brings long lasting contentment. Much more than the fleeting happiness that comes through something merely fun. We make room for both at Brown Ledge. Harry and Marjorie Brown knew the importance of that back in 1926 and we continue to make sure our campers have ample opportunity to experience the fun of camp and earn the joy of a summer on Malletts Bay.
Brooks Johnson
