Today’s Morning Buzz is a little late because the Camp GovLife Post Office was running behind! ELGL Board Secretary and Senior Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at Parkland, Florida, Jackie Wehmeyer brings us this letter from one happy camper headed to Santa Rosa, California for this week’s Camp GovLife conference.
Camp Log Oct. 1, 2025
Sir,
I’m so excited! I’m on my way to camp!! Parkland, Florida is about 2,600 miles away from Santa Rosa, California, but because I want to hang out with our friends at ELGL’s Camp GovLife so much, I’m taking a six-hour plane trip (thank goodness for direct flights), a two-hour bus ride, and a ten-minute Uber to get to the lovely Flamingo Resort for camp. Since I’m traveling today, I’m missing out on the Analyst Academy (I won’t miss it next year!), but I’m stoked for the conference to begin tomorrow.
Speakers like Samantha Harkins will share strategies on relationship management, and a panel of top-notch leaders will talk about overcoming local gov issues in their own organizations. There will be so many awesome local gov leaders like us to connect and commune with – I wish you were here!
I can’t wait to hike through Santa Rosa on the Camp GovLife field trips. Tomorrow, my tour group will visit Paradise Ridge Winery and wander its sculpture garden that withstood the Tubbs Fire, and hike along the Greenway and talk to the residents who began the efforts to save that valuable open space for the community to plan for the future. Hands-on local gov teamwork at its best!
Tomorrow night we are set for an evening of conversation, connection, and community spirit at the Campfire Connections Networking Night. I’m hoping I get to sit right next to your friend Chuck to make s’mores around the campfire. {sigh}
Sir, what Camp GovLife is all about is getting to learn and spend quality time with my fellow Local Gov friends, and it’s going to be the best trip to camp yet.
Feels like I’m coming home…
– Marcie