AMC August Camp

August Camp is an AMC-led camp that is traditionally held somewhere in the northwestern United States. Each year, it brings together AMC members from chapters around the country for a week of hiking, adventure, good food, and community. This year's location in the Northern Cascades provided an incredible backdrop, with dramatic mountain peaks, expansive valleys, and views of glaciers around nearly every corner. The weather and wildfire smoke did provide a few challenges. Smoke from fires in eastern Washington forced us to change several hiking plans, but the flexibility of the camp leaders allowed us to find alternative adventures and make the most of the conditions. On the clearer days, the mountains were spectacular, and the views were well worth the effort. For me, August Camp has begun to feel a little like going home. Although I am still a relative newcomer to the camp, there is something special about returning each year and recognizing familiar faces, reconnecting with old friends, and meeting new ones. There is always someone eager to head out on another hike, share a story around the fire, or sit down for a conversation after a long day on the trail. That sense of community is one of the things I enjoy most about August Camp. The mountains provide the setting, but it is the people who make the experience memorable. I was especially happy to share the experience this year with Deb and Margot as hike leaders and to have such a strong Western MA AMC presence. After a week of mountain peaks, smoky skies, glacier views, campfire conversations, and miles on the trail, I returned home already looking forward to the next August Camp.