Camp Suigetsu: An Award Winning Perspective on Packing

by Carl W. Pergola (edited by Antonella, Anthony and Ariana)

When we set out for Camp Suigetsu on a beautiful Friday afternoon in late May, the last thing we had on our mind was the possibility of winning an award.

In fact, as we backed our Volvo XC90 SUV out of our driveway, we couldn't think about much of anything with the incessant beeping sound made from the vehicle's reverse warning system rattling in our ears. You see, the warning system was shrieking non-stop because we had our bike rack attached to the back of the SUV and we had failed to turn the darn thing off. Attempting to look out the rear view mirror (to actually see if there might be something behind us) was futile, as the Volvo was packed to the roof with sleeping bags, blankets, space heaters, board games, a Bose radio/CD player, roller blades, rolls of paper towels, boxes of cereal, cases of bottled water, hockey sticks, and many other items that we regrettably failed to leave behind, in the house or garage, where they actually belonged. What I was able to do was almost damage the cornea of my eye as I instinctively turned at the sound of the reverse warning system to look back and narrowly escaped being jabbed in the eye by the tip of my fishing pole.

Getting back to winning an award (which wasn't on our minds), we were, of course, shocked to learn that an award even existed for the family who graced Camp Suigetsu with the greatest volume of stuff. (We think the award has an official name like "The Insane Family Award" or "The Infrequent Traveler Award" or "The What Were You Thinking Award," but we are not really sure.) What we do know is, -- we won it! And while winning may not be everything, bringing everything you own to Camp Suigetsu certainly makes you a winner.
[Ed. Note:  The staff of Camp Suigetsu informally assigns an award to the family requiring the most number of golf-cart trips to unload their car upon arrival at camp.]

As we left for home Sunday afternoon and thanked Shihan Masi and Shihan Fine for a spectacular weekend, Shihan Masi gleefully suggested we write an article for the newsletter – an article on, well, packing. Shihan Fine seemed to take great delight in this idea and, in that instant, our fate was sealed. As we now reflect back on that moment, it kinda had that "homework assignment" feel to it. You know, for that kid who just didn't listen to the teacher's instructions and now has to write a 500 word essay on how to pack for camp. Well, we'll do our best.

A team of highly trained experts is available throughout the weekend to assist you to your cabin!

So how do you get to the point of winning a dubious award for overpacking? First you start with the perspective that if you might need something, then bring it with you, or otherwise you might not have a great time. We call this the: "If We Might Need It or If Anyone Else Might Need It or If We Simply Thought About It Before We Pulled Away from the Curb It is Coming With Us Because We Really Want to Have a Great Time" perspective (you see, we even have trouble keeping the name short). Second, look at every possible thing there is (or might be) to do at the camp, take into consideration every possible weather condition and completely disregard the fact that you are only going to be there for 2 and half days and then start packing.

As an example, once we knew that Camp Suigetsu had an outdoor roller hockey rink, using our approach just noted above, we packed roller blades, hockey sticks, hockey balls and pucks, and helmets (we couldn't fit the hockey goal net in the SUV). Since we're a "hockey family," we have enough equipment at this point in our lives to field several teams and we assumed others might want to play also so we threw 6 more sticks and extra balls and pucks in our SUV for good measure. Now, if you use our approach and think about everything Camp Suigetsu has to offer (basketball, baseball, tennis, fishing, hiking, boating , swimming, etc., etc.), think about various weather options (hot and sunny during the day, cool at night, the possibility of rain, and so on.) and assume you are going away for an unlimited duration, then you are shoe-in for next year's award.

But, if you want to avoid being the honorary recipient of next year's award, we suggest a few things: (1) talk to others who have previously gone to the camp and get good insight into their past experience; (2) think ahead to the things you are most likely going to do rather than packing for every possible event; and (3) recognize that there is a lot to do and a limited time to do it (you probably won't be able to take a few hours to fish, play a few sets of tennis, do the "ropes course," take a leisurely walk and participate in the various martial arts and health and healing programs that are offered all in the same day), so be realistic about the waking hours available during your stay. Regarding the weather, the best advice is to layer with comfortable clothing that will take you from the heat of the day through the cool of the night (we, of course, brought a space heater, which actually came in pretty handy, but is not really necessary).

Ariana gets some grappling pointers from Sensei Glenn Genovas

There are two absolutes about Camp Suigetsu: (1) go (this was our first year participating and won't be our last); and (2) plan on attending some of the martial arts classes and health and healing programs. Regarding going, it is great way to spend time with your family and other families with a common thread that forms a community and yet be able to freely chose from a broad variety of activities that might interest you. We were also impressed with how Shihan Masi and Shihan Fine brought together such a variety of martial arts styles and health and healing approaches. Our daughter, Ariana, participated in two "grappling" classes which brought new skills to her martial arts training, which she greatly enjoyed and which we enjoyed watching.

Anyway, with our first Camp Suigetsu behind us (and many more to come), packing less is probably the better way to go. It means less work for you and less work for the wonderful volunteers who graciously slug your belongings from your car to your cabin and back again when you leave.

But whether you pack heavy or you pack light, the important thing is that you pack. Because, if you pack, it means you are on your way to Camp Suigetsu and everyone who comes to Camp Suigetsu goes home a winner.

P.S. Just don't forget to bring your ………