May Camp Update
In a galaxy not so far away, nestled in the foothills of California… you’ll find Shady Creek wrapping up our Spring. It was a heck of a Spring to say the least.
If I could sit down with each of you and recount everyone’s adventures — the weird, the wonderful, the “wait—what just happened?” moments — I would love to. But until then, here’s what I do want to say loud and clear:
Thank you.
To every school we serve.
To every person who supports this mission.
And to the one-of-a-kind, inspiring team that makes Shady Creek what it is.
Now let’s talk music.
I’ve played drums for 27 years. It’s my first love.
But this year, the guitar joined the spotlight — and something magical happened. What started as some campfire strumming turned into full-on rock shows each week. Students danced, sang, and screamed like they were at their first concert. For many of them, they were.
And so, in true rock fashion, here are the stats:
• 3,300 cosmetic guitar picks, autographed and handed out like tiny treasures.
• 250+ real, played-on picks — each one a little piece of the rock show.
• Over 3,500 picks total — every one a memory in someone’s pocket… or lost on the trail… or stolen by their best friend and stuffed in their pocket instead.
• $500+ spent out of my own pocket — because joy isn’t something you budget, it’s something you give. (And justify to your wife)
• $200+ on guitar strings alone.
• And yes — I broke over 100 strings this year. Probably more like 150. The students gifted me the name of String Slayer. It rules!
I may not be the greatest guitarist. No solos. Still learning. But I’m pretty confident I’ve broken more guitar strings than any touring rock and roll guitarist this year. And I couldn’t be prouder. (Hendrix I hope you’re smiling!)
Music changed my life.
Playing it. Listening to it. Seeing it live.
And now, watching kids experience that spark — right here at Shady Creek — is one of the greatest joys of my life.
So whether you were part of the music, the hikes, the laughter, the learning, the silliness, or the serious…
Thank you for making this year unforgettable.
Thank you for being part of this wild, beautiful village.
And thank you for believing in Shady Creek.
BOOMSHAKALAKA!
