On Summer Camp Syndrome

Kristl: You know the Summer Camp Syndrome?

Ian: Hmm... haven't heard of it.

Ian: What is it?

Kristl: No, I just noticed it. It's like when you're in summer camp you feel like you'll be super closewith your friends forever.

Ian: But when its done...

Kristl: Then afterwards, you realize that you don't have much in common anymoreand you're not so good friends and you drift.

Ian: Yeah, I get what you mean.

Looking back, we all could probably name one summer-camp-syndrome-friend. Mine would be a friend from high school. He introduced me to Tolkien and Gaiman, to Jose Cuervo and Smirnoff, to Cathy and Marga. We advocated sharing is caring. In English class, we took turns for book quizzes. I'd read A Separate Peace, while he took care of Macbeth. I was the good student while he was the life of the party. 

We drifted after going to different universities for college. It's been nine years since we really talked. Still, I regard him as a good friend. The "summer camp" experience is still fondly remembered today. Those four years of high school was a blast. He has always been a big part of those memories

I'm taking a trip back to Manila in a few months. I think I'll call him out for drinks (though probably not tequila shots like before). Maybe it will be like old times. Maybe it will be something different. I'm pretty sure it will be awesome just the same.

Think of one summer-camp-syndrome friend. Grab your mobile. Drop a line. Catch up. Relive the glory days.