This past May, something extraordinary happened. For a brief moment, the Northern Lights danced across the skies—visible even from parts of Michigan. Their appearance was a reminder of how much beauty still exists outside of our day-to-day routines and screens.

It also compares to something just as awe-inspiring, but often overlooked: the quiet, powerful transformation that happens every summer at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin.

I had the chance to hear someone from the camp team speak to our board recently, and their message stuck with me. They described today’s young people as “modern astronauts.” It might sound like a stretch at first—but the comparison makes sense.

Think about it: Early astronauts were brilliant, courageous pioneers, hurtling through space in tiny capsules—alone, even when surrounded by the most advanced technology of their time. The only comfort? A scratchy connection back to mission control, a voice reminding them they weren’t alone.

Now think about kids today. They are immersed in smart devices and digital tools. They can stream anything, connect with anyone and answer any question in seconds. But despite all that connection… many of them feel more isolated than ever. Social pressures, performance expectations, and the constant buzz of comparison can leave kids feeling weightless and ungrounded.

And that’s where camp comes in.

YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin becomes their mission control—the safe place where they can take off the helmets they wear every day. It’s where they get to be themselves—singing loudly, laughing uncontrollably, making friends face-to-face instead of through a screen. It’s where they unplug, not just from Wi-Fi, but from pressure and perfection.

I heard about kids who face their fears on the climbing wall, cheered on by peers they just met days before. Kids who learn to paddle across the lake (sometimes in a wobbly zigzag), and realize confidence doesn’t mean being perfect—it means trying. They roast marshmallows. They tell stories under the stars. And maybe for the first time in a long time, they feel like they truly belong.

This is more than just summer fun. It’s belonging. It’s grounding. It’s exactly what the YMCA promises to deliver: a place where every child is known, seen, valued and loved.

As someone who supports the Y, it’s easy to get caught up in budgets, meetings, and logistics. But this has reminded me of something deeper. That even when we’re not on site or seeing it firsthand, our efforts make a real, lasting difference.

We are helping young people navigate a noisy, fast-paced world—and guiding them back to themselves.

So here’s to another summer of safe landings and bold adventures. To more friendships, more growth, and yes—a few more s’mores under the stars.

Because in a world of infinite scrolling, kids still need places where they can simply be.

– Originally told by YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin Director, Luke Gerke