Hi Reader,

Do you know those places by the lake that people flock to in warm weather to relax?

Around here in Ontario, Canada we call them camps or cottages, depending on which side of the province you grew up on. Head over to Quebec and they become chalets. Out on the East Coast, those folks take it one step further and give them their places names like Fundy View, Puffin’s Perch, or my personal favourite, the Money Pit.

Whatever you call them, one thing is certain.

They feel like an escape.

But they are not just places.

They are projects.

Now, if you have ever been invited to someone else’s camp or cottage, it can feel pretty idyllic. You arrive and everything is ready. Chairs are set up by the water just waiting for you and your book. The barbeque is clean and primed for dinner. And if you are lucky enough to be in the north of Ontario, there is a sauna warming up with a neat stack of wood already waiting.

It all looks effortless. That is, until you have one of your own.

Here’s what guests don’t see. There’s always a backlog. There are competing priorities. And without fail, there is at least one “quick fix” that turns into a full weekend of work.

Owning a camp or cottage is less about relaxing and more about managing a project with a great view.

So if you are lucky enough to be invited to a camp or cottage this summer, here’s the inside scoop.

Show up ready to relax, yes, but also ready to contribute.

Offer to stack the wood without being asked. Grab a dish towel and help tidy the kitchen. And then there are the endless spiderwebs. They may not be anyone’s favourite task, but the person who tackles them becomes an instant hero.

Ask what is on the “we’ve been meaning to get to that” list and pick one thing. It does not have to be big. In fact, the small things are often the ones that quietly pile up.

Because the truth is, the best guests are not the ones who simply enjoy the view. They are the ones who help move the project along.

And if you do it right, you'll still get your time by the water, your good book, and maybe even that sauna. It will just feel a little more earned, and a lot more appreciated.

That, in my opinion, is the real cottage experience for everyone involved.

Please note! It’s holiday time here in Canada, and I am taking next week off from writing as I head to a camp as a guest.

I fully intend to earn my stay by crossing at least a couple of things off the “to do” list, and possibly over-manage the spiderweb situation.

See you in two weeks.🌳

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