The End of Summer

Ah, summer. The warm nights and sun filled days, when time seems to slow down just long enough for us to feel young and carefree. The nostalgia of summer runs through our collective psyche. With each passing season the signs of summers past can be recalled with warmth and wistfulness. Stargazing while lying in the grass, playing miniature golf, chasing the ice cream truck down the street, a first kiss, a last goodbye, all seem to hold more meaning because of three short months we casually refer to as the youthful season.

Then there are the camps and activities of the season. Made all the more nourishing by the people we meet. Summer camps hold a special place in the heart for most of us. Not because of the locations or the weather or arts and crafts, but it is the people we encounter there that forge friendships that create a lifetime of glorious, if not bittersweet memories.

In years to come, it is our hope that Luminari will hold a similar fondness in the hearts of those who shared their summers with us. The young people who participated in our I Want to be an Ambassador!, Teen Writer!, and Camp Delicious! programs will be forever tethered by a shared experience in the summer of 2014 – whether it be a desire to create solutions and improve the lives of others, or perhaps the skill to inspire and influence others with words, or the passion to grow, experiment and prepare with the universal language that is food.

For now summer is once again drawing to a close – with only about three weeks left until school starts, at Luminari we are encouraged by these young people who will be returning to their classrooms with new perspectives, experiences and purpose.

We will always look back on our summers past with fondness and nostalgia, however, we are also renewed and look forward to the global ripple effect created by the amazing teenagers who take part every year. Without a doubt, these teens are the champions of our future and we can take great comfort in knowing that we are passing on the reigns of leadership to such accomplished and inspiring young people.

On behalf of the entire Luminari staff, we thank the 2014 campers for sharing their ideas and demonstrating their passion for positive change. Many thanks to our educators, facilitators, sponsors and friends for their ongoing support and guidance. A special thanks to the Heinz History Center (and staff) for hosting our Pittsburgh portion of the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp; WQED studios (and staff) for hosting our Teen Writer! camp; and Rodef Shalom, Phipps and The Art Institute, Pittsburgh for hosting our Camp Delicious! program.

Written by Pilar Brown, Luminari Team Member