Our Last Concert: Drew and Ellie

The years hurried onward, treading in their haste on one another’s heels. This is a line from the Nathanial Hawthorne short story “The Great Stone Face”, which I read to the girls at Council Fire last night. These words strike me as appropriate for I realize how close to the end of Main Camp we have gotten. One more Sunday, eleven more days… the math just now entered my mind, which means the girls are thinking of it as well. We have gotten to the “slipping away too quickly” stage of the session… it is a very good part of the camp experience. We are gradually gaining an appreciation of the precious nature of time, people, and place. Never again will this particular group be gathered together… so enjoy every day to the fullest. Carpe Diem indeed!

I am continually surprised at how quiet the girls are at Council Fire. A group of almost 700 girls sitting on benches around a camp fire in the woods in absolute silence as a 175 year old story is read for thirty minutes… astounding really. This story is one that we have read at camp for generations, for it is a wonderfully written story of humble wisdom and leadership that arises from a life well lived. It is a story that encourages girls of all ages to be their best, to look upward with hope. As I read it I was touched deeply on several occasions, for I could hear my mother’s voice reading the same words at council fires past. I used to sit in the back row (the men staff sit on the ground, out of sight, I loved it), then I sat on the stone bench next to her, now in the stone arm chair that was originally occupied by Dr. Sevier. The tradition is evident everywhere one looks; this lends significance to whatever words are spoken.

It was a lovely Council Fire and as it ended I was pleased to see a cabin of rising 10th graders holding hands as they ran down the Pagent Court to the canoe docks. The sun had set and they had only 5 minutes before “Call to Quarters” blew, but they savored every second as they dangled their feet in the lake. These are the golden days of summer.

Stumblers had a good turnout, about 350 once again. We ran, we talked, and we then walked up the hill to a buffet breakfast. It will be a quiet day, one that will be savored by all. Our final concert will be this evening, a lakeside moment that will be greeted with screams of delight when it is announced. The girls LOVE this night… Laura told me not to “spill the beans”, so I will hold onto the secret a little longer (will post the name after lunch)… OK it’s after Lunch, it’s Drew and Ellie Holcomb! The Dining Hall erupted in a huge cheer that went on for a minute. We are such rabid fans!

Thank you for reading. Enjoy your day of rest and worship.

Jimboy