The Countdown

Even though we all LOVE camp, we ALL have a countdown going till Friday. This is not a bad thing, it actually is a motivator to make the most out of every last minute that we will share this summer.

I have to plan out my Breakfast Club talks very carefully during short sessions, because there is very little time to spare. During August Camp, I have time for two days on each of the Four Fold Character traits… today we finished the “Mental” side of the square. Goal Setting was the subject, and it is appropriate for all ages… little girls are encouraged to set goals for passing levels this week in their activities and counselors are encouraged to set goals for the next year and even consider the next 5 years. A lot to cover in 3 minutes!

We are looking forward to a lot of good things today:

First, we will enjoy the last of the “Hot” days of August… it is supposed to turn cooler tomorrow and remain “normal” for the rest of the week. Highs in the low 90’s today will not feel that bad, knowing that “relief” is on the way. We can now look forward with some confidence to closing day and say that it will be a perfect 80 degree sunny mountain morning. It is nice to think that we will experience really great weather for our last week of the summer.

Second, we will enjoy a “meaty” day of classes… I say “meaty” because the girls are now fully engaged in their activities and able to make huge leaps within their class times. The Fine Arts classes will get the lions share of the progress needed to complete a much loved project today and tomorrow. Tennis cards will be out and the girls working hard to keep the ball “in bounds” 10 times in a row. Canoeing, Kayaking, Gymnastics, Self Defense, Sailing, Archery, Riflery, Swimming… the list is long! It makes for a very productive couple of days.

Third, we will eat well… starting with breakfast: the best Fritata of the summer. Really! We commented on it at the Head Table, it was very tasty! Gervais said that it was because he cut the veggies himself this morning… I think it is just everyone wanting to put their best foot forward for this final week. The kitchen is not only cooking for the campers, they are cooking for themselves! They take great pride in generating positive comments from the “audience”, but the cooks also enjoy the positive comments from their friends in the dish room. The kitchen crew is large and very tightly knit together… we all eat the same food (they can’t do special food for themselves), so we all enjoy the fruit of the effort and celebrate success. Lunch is going to be a camper favorite: Shepherd Pie! We do it very well, so well that it is the second most requested meal we serve (first is Cheesy Chicken). Dinner is my personal FAVORITE of Flank Steak and Cheese Grits (the steak is prepared with a wonderful dry rub then seared on a wood fire grill then cut thinly on the oblique and served next to the garlic cheddar grits). It is beyond good. I would pay $40 for this meal at a restaurant.

Fourth, we wiill have a fabulous EP: campfires will be lit all around the lake and we will enjoy games, s’mores, and simple running around as the sun sets on a glorious day. Once the sun is gone, we will set up a HUGE 25 foot movie screen on the Pagent Court and everyone will spread out and watch a GREAT movie. We keep the movie title secret, to add suspense… It is a great way to end a great day! We should be in bed by 10:30, very late at camp (the change of routine makes it even more fun). This is going to be a favorite EP for sure.

Thank you for making camp so GREAT! I will try to get some photo’s up today, but have some important duties that will keep me busy most of the day… don’t be surprised if there are not a lot.

I took photos of the cabins a couple of days ago, based on a parent’s suggestion last year… just random visits to a tentalow, bungalow, old cabin, and new cabin. It is interesting and fun to see what these cabins look like in the middle of the summer. Some are more “neat” than others (the personality of the counselor and camper group does seem to be evident)… all are precious! It is with pride that we open the doors of the cabins to your arrival on opening and closing day… we work hard to make them REALLY CUTE and functional for camp fun.

Well… I am off to grab a few photo’s before my meeting. Have a GREAT DAY!!!

Jimboy