The Middle Begins

Happy Monday Every One!

This begins our “Middle” week of camp, the best week of camp in my opinion. We describe it to be the “sweet center” of the Oreo cookie that is camp. The first and last week are spectacular because of when they occur: that first week is full of “dreams come true” as we delight in the classes, the programs, the people, and the place of camp. Every minute is exciting because there are so many new things to enjoy. While there are adjustments to the new setting, those moments pale in comparison to the hours of delight! It is a slam-dunk experience… The last week is also a slam-dunk experience as we enjoy a whirlwind of big moments and building anticipation for Banquet Day. The first and last weeks are like the crunchy chocolate cookie, made better by joining with a sweet creamy center in the middle.

The middle week is when we experience our deepest moments of significance in camp. This week is when the friendships will go deep, when our skills in program areas shine, when cabins pull together, and when we feel the impact of a close community. It is the best week of June Camp and what makes June Camp a significant “bump” over shorter sessions.

This week will stress cabins as our “true colors” shine. Personality conflicts are normal in life but often not dealt with in a good way because they never are appropriately embraced. God makes us all very different, so personality conflicts are normal and expected. Dealing with such things in a loving way is a genuinely wonderful experience. The girls will find that a good “Friendship Circle” transforms their world. We delight in asking forgiveness and giving encouragement; both of these good things will be a part of this next week and I am thankful for the opportunity. It provides a shining facet to the diamond which camp ultimately becomes.

This will also be a week of great progress in our activities. These girls are very smart, hard working, and motivated to learn new skills. They are now making their plan for the last two weeks of camp: re-committing to goals that have perhaps been forgotten. Breakfast Club today reminded them of Jimdaddy’s encouragement to campers in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s: that “If you fail to plan you plan to fail”. Make goals and assemble a team to help you meet your goals. It is a great lesson for this time of camp.

We told the story of “Monarch” at Council Fire last night. A beautiful story of a tall pine tree who helps a young hemlock grow straight and strong. The girls were encouraged to seek out a good mentor in the counselors who are here to love them, we also encouraged them to help younger campers whenever the chance arises. It is a great camp story, one my mother absolutely loved.

Breakfast: Sausage Links, scrambled eggs, grits Lunch: Shepherd Pie (a camp favorite), peas, bread Dinner: Vegetable Lasagna and a big salad

Thanks for reading… and thanks for forgiving the late Stumblers photos (I thought I uploaded them at 9:00, but missed a step). Put them up this morning (Thank you Blair for asking… never would have noticed if she didn’t say anything).

This also brings up a point: never hesitate to contact me about anything. I delight in the good, the bad, and the ugly… we want to be the best camp possible and that will only happen if we clearly know what the impact of camp actually is. If you like something, let us know. If you don’t like something let us know. No promise we will be able to change a particular issue, but we will carefully and creatively consider the problem! Running camp involves juggling a hundred balls at once, it is possible that we drop a ball and are simply not aware unless someone in the audience points it out!

Thank you for sharing your girls and caring enough to read the news of camp. I am very grateful.