Hello, and welcome! My name is Drummond MacGavin Thompson (Drummy, Drum-Drum for short) from the great Golden State of California, formerly dwelling under a heap of literature textbooks and novels in Oakland; however, today, I connect with you from the lovely Camp Augusta in Nevada City!
I am twenty-one years young, and this is my first year as a staff member here at Camp. I do, however, have somewhat of a colorful history with this amazing camp. Although it will be my first year as a full-time staffer, this summer marks my tenth stay at Camp Augusta. I am what many would call a veteran, lifer, parasi– err, maybe not that, and perhaps symbiosis would be a more accurate description. I began my Augustan career as a camper in 2005 and never missed a beat through the summer of 2013 when I attended camp as a CIRCLEr (a three-week program designed for older campers wanting a chance for greater introspection and leadership training). After that summer, I took time off (four whole years! I can’t believe it either..) from my home-away-from-home to study, travel, and spend quality time with family members. If there is something to take away from all that time as a camper, the first many would choose would be experience; however, for me, the experience sits rather calmly in the back of my mind and heart providing me the confidence to move about our busy days with ease. The biggest takeaway from Camp Augusta I have is this enormous appreciation for those who have and are continuing to keep it alive, prospering, and incredibly wondrous for any and every family, mini, or summer camper who have attended or will in the days to come. I want to say I’m indebted to this place for what it has offered me throughout my formative years, and to say so would be an understatement for sure. With all this love for Camp Augusta, I want nothing more than to offer our campers the chance to experience the wish, wonder, and surprise that it was and continues to be for me. Be it getting into my roles for one of the many, amazing evening programs we host or simply teaching the activity in which a camper waited all summer to participate, it is my utmost priority to facilitate a fabulous, Camp Augusta camp experience that will certainly be one to remember.
Currently, I live in the foothills of the Sierras in a magical little place called Camp Augusta, and my, oh my, what a wonderful home it is. When not spending my days pouring dirt and woodchips out of every pocket, shoe, and backpack I own, I live in East Bay where I attend school. I have lived in Oakland and Piedmont for most of my life. I attended K-12 in the PUSD system, spending most of my time playing lacrosse and saxophone, only residing in Marin for my youngster years. I played for Skyline Lacrosse Club growing up and JV/Varsity Lacrosse for Piedmont High School, and played in Andrea Mullen’s Symphonic band from fourth through twelfth grade. While participating in those experiences, I found (and continue to find!) great joy and reward in making the dream work with teamwork, as well as expressing my love for auditory based art. Although I don’t play much anymore nor hold allegiance to a collegiate men’s team, I have found a comfortable and rewarding role as a youth and high school lacrosse coach. I have found coaching to be a not only a greater challenge but a fantastic way to meet those needs for play and fun when belonging to a team no longer suits my schedule.
If the heap of books didn’t give my status away, I am still enrolled at university working towards a four-year degree. I am a student of the Humanities, focusing primarily in the realms of sociology, literature, and rhetoric. I find great pleasure in these subjects due to their open dialogues around identity politics; their nuanced and, sometimes, funny way of approaching the many, layered discussions of identity; and, most often, the philosophical thought behind each discipline’s choice of individual words and phrasing. If I had to pick a single niche that I have found the most intriguing as of late, I would, without a doubt, pick Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) literature. Now, you may be thinking, “Hmm, what’s this college student doing reading Sci-Fi and comics at college?” Well, believe it or not, Sci-Fi Literature only goes above and beyond the framework of the typical novel/piece of literature in its unique way of painting its settings for the reader. Otherwise, most character archetypes, rising actions, and epiphanies meet the standards one may find in a big, long Shakespeare play or a bigger, longer Greek epic poem. Simply put, I find our languages (mais oui, plus d’une langue! Aussi, je parle français) absolutely fascinating and hope to share my love for written and spoken words with those who are willing and excited.
Now, I’ll leave y’all with a short, cryptic, Sci-Fi quote from the amazing novelist Ursula K. Le Guin (one of my many favorites) to chew on until the summer comes around:
“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
I think it is important to hold excitement around the goals we set for ourselves in life, and even more important to recognize the value in all the little (or big! Four whole years with my home-away-from-home!) times between the multifarious walks of life we live.
I cannot wait to get this summer season started. The rest of the staff and I invite you to join us in experiencing a magical summer!