When Jeremy loved, he was all in, unapologetic. He loved fiercely, loyally, loudly. Jeremy was a life force, a light maker, a truth defender, virtuous in his points of view, a curious learner, a determined soul trying to make a difference in the world, a true peacemaker.
Oh, and so fun, silly, the most contagious laugh, and an interested conversationalist. Jeremy had the ability to be in the moment, making you feel like you were the only person in the room.
The Change Maker: Camp
When Jeremy was 17, he was much like other kids at that age looking for direction in his life, trying to find purpose and meaning. He would get himself in trouble more times than we would have liked and was conflicted by the different environments at his mom’s and our house, as we had divorced when Jeremy was very young.
We decided to give the camp a try, as it came highly recommended by friends of ours who had seen great progress with their own daughter, who had attended the camp earlier.
When we approached Jeremy, his initial reaction to going to the camp was total opposition and outrage. He was furious about the idea and thought it was a total waste of his time. We all felt it would be a good idea for Jeremy to stay for 4 weeks in order to really make a difference and to hopefully help him gain a new perspective on life.
Jeremy hated everything about it and was not at all happy when the day finally approached, and we took him to camp. Two weeks into the camp, Jeremy was allowed his first phone call, and he left a voicemail cursing us out and demanding that we would come pick him up, because this was all just total bull….
We did not have a chance to speak to him and would only be able to see and talk to him again the day I would pick him up, another 2 weeks later. When that day approached, I was nervous about our upcoming reunion, as I fully expected him to be so upset, as he was 2 weeks earlier, and not talk to me at all on our 2 hour car ride home.
As I was waiting for the campers to walk out, I was pretty anxious looking for Jeremy, not knowing what to expect. Another 30 minutes of me waiting and watching other kids reuniting with their parents went by until he finally arrived.
Jeremy came up to me with tears in his eyes, falling into my arms, saying “Dad, this was the best thing that ever happened to me”...I was flabbergasted…
What happened at Odyssey Teen Camp
The camp fundamentally changed Jeremy’s life from that moment on and he stayed in close connection with everyone from the camp and worked there every summer. The camp showed Jeremy to open up, to be himself, and made him comfortable in his own skin. This is where he was able to tap into his compassion, he learned to listen, he learned to let go, he learned to love life!
Odyssey Teen Camp (or Omega Teen Camp, as it was previously known) had the greatest impact on Jeremy’s life and it was wonderful for all of us to see him thrive and be himself in that environment. He was most at ease and the happiest at camp.
We will forever be grateful to Adam, Lisa G, Chloe, and the amazing staff for bringing out the best in Jeremy and feel honored and privileged to remain involved with the Odyssey Teen Camp and help others in Jeremy’s name to hopefully experience the same magic that he did.
THE JEREMY RUEHLEMANN LOVE LOUDLY PROJECT
Jeremy’s love for the campers taught them many things but above all to love themselves. His unconditional encouragement and appreciation of their talents allowed these teenagers to see their own light.
With love, we want to offer someone(s) a similar experience. We are hoping to keep Jeremy’s legacy alive through this project.
With love,
The Ruehlemann Family
To apply to Odyssey Teen Camp’s Love Loudly Scholarship Fund, click here.
