Camp Update

Today was officially dubbed “The Nicest Weather All Year” by the weatherman last night. He was right!

I am writing this at 7:15, an hour before the late bugle blows to wake up the camp. There is not a cloud in the sky, the birds are chirping, the geese are honking… and none of that is unusual. What is unusual is the cool breeze that is blowing from the East, no humidity, and the promise of 80 degree temperatures. It just feels different, the girls are going to notice and will ramp up their excitement another couple of notches.

In camp, we celebrate weather because we are in it. When it rains, we get wet… when it is hot, we sweat… when it is cold, we shiver. This is part of the camp experience and even though we have a super nice camp, we still don’t have many air conditioned buildings (and never will). Many of my most memorable experiences as a camper came from “riding the wave of weather” every day. We are all this way, why else do we stay up to learn what the weatherman is going to tell us? God put Adam and Eve in a garden without shelter… maybe we are wired to be outside.

The Sleep Late Deal: Bugle at 8:30, picnic breakfast IN the cabin (fun), Regular schedule the rest of the day… we will be in Morning Assembly at the same time as normal and classes will go on as normal. Just a little change in the routine makes the biggest impact (this is one of the favorite traditions of camp… we do it every week at Main Camp).

The EP last night was over the top excellent, 3 months in the planning and only presented at Main Camp; Game Show Night was the best EP of the summer, unanimous opinion. Everyone got prizes (“Spam, the official canned meat of evening program” was the slogan emblazoned on prizes). T-shirts, long sleeve T’s, Hoodies, Buttons, Stickers, and Pens were given randomly and as awards to campers/counselors who represented their cabins onstage or on screen (a true multi-media event). The program was long, but nobody noticed… HUGE SUCCESS!

As week one progresses, the energy grows. Cabins are bonding, classes are engaging, and anticipation for the next thing becomes palpable. The dining hall is very loud, a good thing. The girls get quiet very quickly when we make an announcement, also a good thing. Girls are not changing classes, another good thing. We are intentionally building excitement… and this wave helps the community bond for their 5 week adventure. Expect the best, that is what the campers and counselors anticipate, and that is what we strive to deliver. This is a sophisticated crowd, to provide a camp experience that astounds 17 year olds is not easy… it makes this camp special.

Over the top facilities, challenging programs, inspirational staff, fun friends… add carefully planned surprises, but not too many… pray that it all works… and you have a wonderful place.

Greystone… gives me chills sometimes!

Team fires were wonderful. Check out the photos. The Odds Elected Catherine Miller to be Captain and Megan Marshburn to be Lieutenant. Even Team elected Allie Zodin to be Captain and Anna Watt to be Lieutenant.

Jimboy