It's a wonderful life, isn't it? A place to share.

Bah, fooey. There's that annoying movie again. How many times can you watch Jimmy Stewart see that his life has changed others? In fact, what am I doing here in camping? Am I really doing any good? I mean, really doing any good or am I just doing a job?

I remember the first time away from home for the week. It was at Camp Blackhawk on Owassippe Scout Reservation in Michigan for Boy Scouts. I failed the swim test the first time through. ME! I have been swimming in pools my whole life, but the lake was strange. I later conquered the lake and swam a mile that year, literally! Spending time at the nature center and winning the all camp nature contest for the troop, watching the bald eagle catch a fish in Big Blue and the campfires ... those are some great memories. But, what about my job now? Am I doing any good?

Now, back to that movie. Oh, great, there's Jimmy now getting ready to jump off the bridge. Maybe the movie will be different this time. I'll check e-mail ... eighty-two pieces of spam mail and fourteen chain mails from family. And one ... what's this one? Ben. Ben. Ben.... Oh, yeah, I remember him a staff member from about nine years ago.

Hey, this is great. He just finished his Ph.D. in environmental education. Good for him. Hmm ... he is writing about all the time he spent at camp. The only camp he worked in his life was for me. Now, Ben is going to be an environmental educator at a big year-round camp program. Now that's neat. He feels like our camp program has helped him focus on what he wanted to do with his life.

You know, I got some mail earlier today, maybe I'll check that. A letter from Cathy. Oh, wow. Great letter. She is a teacher in Charlotte now. She came from a very abusive background and regarded me as a father figure. She had heard about my change in venue and was reminiscing about the camp days and how it helped her become the fantastic teacher she is today. Camp changed her life.

A card from Moose. Moose was a staff member nearly twelve years ago now. He was a bouncer at a college bar and chose to try a summer at camp. It changed his whole outlook. Moose focused his career path on becoming a school resource officer (SRO). He has become one of the most successful SRO's in Texas and has won many awards for his work in schools. He wrote: "It is because of the time I spent at camp with you. Congratulations on the promotion."

Finally, a letter from a camper: "Mr. Case, I heard that you are leaving camp. It won't be the same without you. You always had the neatest, weirdest games for us. I'll miss you. Love Jamie."

When I went to the office, there was a phone message to return from a Mrs. Jacobson. When I called her, she was saddened to hear about me leaving the camp as director. She wanted to know the new camp so she could send her children to the new one. When I told her I was no longer a director, but in administration over a couple programs, she was excited. "You mean you can touch that many more kids? Teach them well. I am proud of the program you built and the one that will be built."

I questioned my need to be a director and changed professions to be a high school science teacher in January 2007. This week, a young man came into the room. "Mr. Case, is that really you?" "Yes. How can I help you?" "It's me Michael. You were the camp director for me for five years. I learned so much about nature because of you. I am graduating this year and going to ASU to become a science teacher because of camp. I heard you were here and could not believe it. Thank you!"

Jimmy is at the place now where the whole town is coming to his rescue. More money than necessary, and the telegram comes to give him whatever he needs....

You know, I just got my angel visit. What I do does make a difference. Staff members, campers, parents, alumni. Many people remember some of the small things. I hope that this year, you have your Jimmy Stewart moment and have someone remind you that you made a difference. I had mine....

by Mark H. Case, Sr., C.C.D.

Mark H. Case, Sr., C.C.D., is a science teacher in Greensboro, North Carolina, for Guilford County Schools. He has thirty-six years of camp experience as a day camper, resident camper, staff, camp director, administrator, and now, back as a camp volunteer. He is a standards visitor, certified camp director, certified environmental educator, and accomplished story teller.