Community

We have been talking about community a lot throughout the conference. If you don't mind taking a minute, think back to the community you grew up in. There was the really nice older couple who lived down the street who always checked in on your family. There were families that your family considered friends, as well as people your parents perhaps told you were not the best influences. Hoodlums, perhaps. There were many other people in between. Sometimes you heard things that you weren't sure if they were true, but you didn't want to ask. The community relishes in its success and growth with celebrations.

Look around as you wander the halls of Pheasant Run. The camps and people that are represented could look similar to those you knew in your community. There are people you can't wait to see because you haven't for a while and you get to catch up. There are people who have always looked out for you. There are people who have always annoyed you. That is the beauty of communities.

We have been spreading lots of information about how the conference works - mentioning words like attrition (ew...evil), and minimums, and things like that. We don't do this to alarm you and think that things are bad with Mid States, it is all just so you know how we work. Mid States thrives on the community we create, and we want all of our neighbors to understand how we run.

We are excited you are all here and look forward to our community growing and being around for a very long time.