Emerald Summer

About Emerald Summer

Growing up, I spent my summers working at Camp Emerald Bay on Catalina Island. It was probably the most formative part of my adolescence and early adulthood, and I cannot say enough about what it did for my sense of self and character. 2025 is the 100th anniversary of camp’s founding, and I’ve wanted to write a tribute piece to camp for a long time, so I asked Lee Harrison, who was the camp director who hired me at age 14, if they might like a piece if there were any events taking place to celebrate. Not only did he say yes, but he put me in charge of music for the event and even found a little budget to hire musicians to play it and for me to go out to the island and do some field recording. Whoa!

I will not lie—I have been intimidated by this piece, because camp is so personal to me and to so many of the people who have worked or camped there. But during the first recording trip, back in March, I asked on social media what sounds people remembered, and shared some photos from the island, and people were so interested and excited that it gave me a great feeling of confidence.

I have another recording trip lined up, and the piece will premiere on November 16 at the 100th anniversary gala in LA. Some photos from the first recording trip are below.

Looking toward Indian Head from the base of the pier

Recording and filming the waves at Parson’s Beach

B pier in front of Doctor’s Point

Big ol’ camp fires

Looking back toward Two Harbors from the hike up to Arrow Point

Recording Doctor’s Cove

Recording the waves on Sandy’s Beach

Spring greenery on the hike from Parson’s Beach to Emerald Bay

Looking back from the end of the pier

B pier in front of Doctor’s Point at night