~
Weldon Pless (far left) with Rob Langley, David Steele, Chris Kerr and Clarke Norton
Here is an essay written by Weldon Pless. Weldon has been at Alpine every summer since he was in the first grade (only missing one summer). This year, after he graduates from Ole Miss we are excited that he will join our full time staff. I think you will enjoy Weldon’s reflections on camp!
Whenever I buy new music, I buy records. And that’s not just slang for CDs. I’m talking about black, vinyl, old-timey records. The ones you put on and sit back to listen to the entire thing without stopping. To me, Alpine is a bit like those records.
Records are sort of a step back in time. You can’t skip around to your favorite tracks or put all the freshest songs on a playlist. You can’t stick in your headphones and walk around town listening to records, or even play them in your car. But there are some really good things about it too. Listening to records allows you to really listen to the music. Once I take the time to put one on, I sit there and I listen to the whole thing, and I let myself enjoy it. I listen closer to songs I might have skipped if I was listening on my iPod. Stepping back in time to listen to my music actually lets me listen better. It slows me down and holds my attention.
The same is true of Alpine. Every summer I come back to ride horses instead of driving cars, to watch sunsets instead of watching television, and to sing songs instead of listening to the radio. It’s a step back in time, but it frees me up to really enjoy the summer.
Sometimes during the school year I don’t give myself a chance to slow down. I never stop long enough to notice the things around me like the sounds and smells of nature that are so prominent at camp. When it rains during the school year, I put on a movie or surf the internet. When it rains at camp, I listen to it.
I also have deeper conversations with friends at camp than I usually do in my life outside. At camp there is time to really talk. Whether it’s while walking to an activity period, playing ping pong, or eating a meal, deep conversations at camp seem to rise up organically. I think it’s because we’re given a schedule and an order in our days, and it frees up our minds to dwell on other things. Alpine lets us take a step back and enjoy living, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I come back every summer.
I would have never thought about Alpine like that, but it is like that. I look forward to thinking back on this during rest hour and making these connections. Thanks Weldon!
As one who has had some experience with vinyl in my lifetime, I can attest to those “let the record play” moments that are indeed pure Alpine. Even the scratches lend character. A+ for the essay Weldon. Looking forward to First Term.
Well said, my friend. I wish I could again be there to relish in the unexpected joys that Alpine creates.