First Wednesday
I woke up early this morning with a thousand little details bubbling around in my mind. Despite all that I KNOW in my heart about not worrying, I can not escape the feeling that there is something that we are missing.
So I made some coffee and had a quiet time in my favorite chair. The camp was peaceful and dark (not a sound), then the birds began their joyful songs all at once (a very joyful noise!) and dawn began to lighten the eastern sky. Worries and fears evaporate like the morning dew and my heart soars with anticipation for I know that it will be a Great Day! By the time the first rays of sunlight flood my window, I am ready to go!
We have a large staff who feel this same burden of responsibility; every counselor awakens with a sense of the weight of their particular role at camp. They know that they have been entrusted with important aspects of the camper experience and each feels the burden, especially in these early days when we are still adjusting to our new duties.
This is why I delighted so much in what I saw in the classes yesterday. To make over 70 classes GREAT is not something that any one person can do. It is the very definition of a team effort. To see the campers so deeply engaged in so many activities ALL DAY LONG was a testimony to the commitment of the counselors. They never took the easy way out. They were enthusiastic and attentive, paying attention to the girls and being rewarded with spectacular moments of connection.
If any of you are concerned about the millennial generation, take heart. I see this generation of counselors and campers assuming the responsibilities of a deeply connected community with excellence. It is often breathtaking to see how well they do their jobs. They are also exceptionally Spiritually curious and willing to learn. The counselors are a delight to work with: intelligent, interested, and excited about the mission of camp… they Glorify God in a community of love. I depend on these counselors every day and I am blown away by how they respond to the challenges of the “bubble”.
The weather today will be a repeat of yesterday: Perfectly Glorious! Not a cloud in the sky, low humidity, light breeze (5 mph from the West), and high temperatures of just 80 degrees.
Tonight we will enjoy the Cabin Lip Synchs (Bungalow 3-Cabin 12) and we will delight in seeing our older campers performing acts they have practiced since Opening Day. The Pavilion Stage is a remarkable venue for a young performer… bright lights, special effects, microphones, speakers, and an adoring audience of almost 700 screaming fans. It is a magical moment for the cabin groups and a great time for us all.
We started our morning with a camper favorite breakfast: Pancakes and Sausage. The pancakes are home made (of course) and feature a recipe with two kinds of flour and a hint of maple syrup. They are really, really good! The sausages are much larger than you would expect, about double the size of the sausages I serve my family in the winter. They are plump and amazingly tasty… the best sausages I know of. Lunch is also a “Pork Fest” that is one of my favorites: BLT’s. Thick cut bacon, local tomatoes, local lettuce, home made bread still warm from the oven. YUM. Dinner is smoked chicken, rice and gravy.
Thank you for sharing your girls. They are doing very well adjusting to camp and I hope they are writing you some really wonderful letters that will arrive soon. Please take time to write them back! Hand written letters are the Gold Standard of warm fuzzy feelings at camp, but emails are a close second. Hearing from you is a delight and I hope you will write lots and take the time to compose some great letters. I always included little drawings in my letters, often showing scenes of what I imagined them to be doing at camp. Focus on their wonderful opportunity as a camper, not on the fun things you are doing at home! Mail is delivered after lunch each day and the girls love to read letters as they settle into rest hour.
Pray for us often, that God would protect your girls and provide them with an experience of love that will endure for a lifetime!
