Camp Update

Camp is an experience that we feel deeply: I REALLY want to convey how wonderful it is, but words will always fall short. A blog gives this opportunity, I do these every morning for the parents and other “insiders” who have usernames and passwords (we give them to alumnae, campers, staff, and parents). This is an excerpt from today’s entry, I might do this some more… you learn a lot about camp from such things!

First: Be thankful you are NOT here. This is a shocking statement, but true. Camp is a wonderful growth experience for your girls because you are not here. In every other setting, they filter life through your reactions, they lean on you for support and affirmation. Now they are on their own… but in the most loving and supportive environment you can imagine. We call them out when they are not good, we pat them on the back when they do well, and we hold up lofty ideals for them to consider adopting for themselves. Here the lessons that might just wash past them at home are somehow more poignant… they demand a personal response and have a personal effect in their community. It is at camp where “real” conversations take place, I think it is because of the 24 hour 7 day a week 5 week time frame: this is an intense community that demands individual sincerity. For the moms that work at camp while their campers are here, it can really negatively impact the experience (campers lose focus, moms worry). Be thankful for this experience and rejoice that your daughter can have it in full measure.

My advise for today: Write your camper REAL letters. Include real bits of yourself and your thoughts about life. Include details of their camp experience (cabin lip syncs, classes, counselors, friends). Tell them of funny memories you have as a young person, of family members long gone, of how God brought you to where you are now. Hand written letters are gold, the highest value. Next come typed letters (I have to do this due to my bad handwriting). Finally come emails (that are free this year…). Write every day if you can. It means a lot!

Breakfast was scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and the magnificent fruit and cereal bar (which today added our famous homemade granola… many girls add together yogurt, berries, granola, and honey to make a breakfast bowl that is shockingly flavorful).

Weather is almost perfect, highs in the low 80’s and slightly overcast… very comfortable. Not much chance of rain for the rest of the week.

Meat Loaf for lunch. Old readers know how over the top this is. Love Meat Loaf at camp.

Lunch was wonderful, but not so much because of the meat loaf… a bit of a disappointment there. Meatloaf can be done without inspiration, that is what happened today. Good, but not good enough to talk about later. But the green beans rose to the occasion! Roasted in the oven, a bit of balsamic vinegar and a little feta cheese sprinkled on top… 3 ingredients that added up to genius. We had never done these before, I think it was just a little experiment that worked very well. Rice Krispie treats for dessert, a taste of heaven that takes us home every time!

Jimboy