Thursday Update

Another in the long line of perfect summer days has begun! Heavy fog blanketed the camp before reveille blew at 7:30 this morning. It quickly burns off, revealing the lovely “blue mountains” that surround the lake. Fog forms because of the high humidity and dew points at this point in the summer. The humidity is high in the South this time of year (around 80% in Tuxedo today), a fact that gives a “softness” to the air and encourages “glistening” faces around camp. I love this time of the year!

The theme of today’s update will be the exceptional “Mature” staff that come to camp each summer. These are the professionals who have made camp life a part of their yearly routine, sharing their skills with the next generation and soaking up the unique joy that fills the soul while at camp. Mr. Pete and Mr. Mack are two VERY successful gentlemen who retired to this area many years ago. Mr. Pete and his wife Miss Carolyn were the first to find us and apply to be counselors. We hired him as the fishing department head and her as the knitting lady… and countless numbers of campers have delighted in that decision! Mr Mack was a friend of Mr. Pete who joined up as “assistant” shortly after that first summer. The fishing program is wonderful because of the excellent teaching and mentoring that happens in this laid back class. Miss Carolyn has single handedly made knitting cool (how does THAT happen?!!). It is a hugely popular class, especially with the returning campers (who all know that this is a class that is worth taking).

Our Arts programs are also strongly impacted by the “pros”… there is Marilyn Bailey who teaches Metal Jewelry, Kim Adams who teaches Glass Arts (fusing and bead making), Barbara Eblen-Nuss (painting), and Peggy Thornton (Crafts). Their professionalism not only makes for great classes for the campers but also provides wonderful mentoring opportunities with the counselors. Growth happens in many ways at camp… “mature” staff have proven to be essential to the magic.

Tonight we will enjoy the Counselor Talent Show, always a favorite of the campers. An interesting fact about August Camp is that the Counselor Talent Show is the best of the year at this session. The counselors are more relaxed and enter into the spirit of the evening with a particular gusto since this is their last talent show of the year. They are very funny and show occasional brilliance. It is a great night.

Lunch is Hamburgers and fries; dinner will be Chicken Piccata. YUM!

Thanks again for checking in.