Rain

It is raining.

Raining steady all day long and I think this is FANTASTIC camp weather!

Reality check… there CAN be too much rain. I remember my first year as Program Director in the early 90’s when it rained this way every day of June Camp. It was fun for a few days, then…. I prefer not to think about it. My mother still talks about the summer when it rained so much that she opened our house for tennis class to bake cookies (a move of desperation after two weeks of rain). She says that the muddy shoes ruined her kitchen and she “had to” renovate in the fall.

Those summers of rain were prime motivations for the great buildings that have been built and improved over the past 20 years. We built porches for the Tentalows, indoor showers for all cabins, built the amazing Fine Arts Center, White Hall Lodge, Dining Hall Porch, the Pool complex (complete with Solar Heated water), the Shepherd Gazebo, Putt Cove Boat House, and the list goes on.

Now when it rains, the campers have LOTS of places that are dry if it rains… but we still have some classes that meet in the rain and do special “Rain Traditions”. Ultimate Foam is one of those traditions. David Vining and his tennis staff divide the entire class into two teams for this most competitive of all rain activities. It is very high energy and the girls LOVE it. We will post lots of pictures later on (I hear them playing even as I write this and it makes me smile).

Last night was our first Council Fire. My mother told the story of “Monarch” (the giant pine tree) who was the inspiration to the smaller trees. Simple stories that are profoundly moving in this setting. The sound of Libby’s voice, the crackling fire, the sparks racing toward the sky as the logs settle. Last night was also special for the threat of rain: the benches were wet with the rains of the afternoon and we knew that a big system was eventually going to hit camp; but it turned out to be a perfect evening, one that the girls will remember for sure.

Food… a little bit of information for you Food Network Fans. The oatmeal continues to be a highlight of my day. If you have never taken the time to prepare Steel Cut Oatmeal, go out to the grocery and buy a little tin and see if you like it. Water and oats… that is all it takes, but the flavor is sublime. The grains are slightly chewy and slightly sweet, add some chopped up apples or berries with a little yogurt and a drizzle of honey… YUM. Lunch today is Shepherd’s Pie (this is a favorite of the campers) and Dinner is a personal favorite of grilled Flank Steak (with a spicy cumin rub, cooked over apple wood… it is really great and served with garlic grits).

EP tonight is a real concert! “Mockingbird Sun” is driving up from Nashville by popular request. Last summer we had this group play for June Camp and they were a HUGE HIT. The girls went wild… for many of them it was their first “real” concert. I think it took the band by surprise (they kept looking at each other throughout the concert with shocked and delighted faces). The energy was so genuinely off the charts, it was one of the band’s best concerts of the year. They JUMPED when we asked them to return this year. We will give the girls a special treat of Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream- the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Thanks again for taking time to check the updates, sort the photos, write your girls, and support camp with such abandon. This is a very good place, thanks to you.

Jimboy

PS Breakfast Club has moved past “Social” growth to “Mental” growth. Today it was making the best out of all situations that you face every day. Always look for the good, choose the positive path in life. This week will cover “Mental” and “Physical” growth… next week is “Spiritual” growth. Good stuff.Rain Chain