Mudpuddles

When was the last time you played in the rain?

I bet it was a very long time ago, perhaps decades or maybe even NEVER! Maybe your mom wouldn’t let you outside when it was raining (those wet clothes and muddy sneakers do make a lot of work). Maybe you just didn’t like that feeling of cold rain on your face and never gave it a try.

At camp we love “liquid sunshine”! As long as there is no thunder, we consider rain to be a delightful addition to whatever the activity of the moment might be. We press on, even if it means making a mess. Those first moments in the rain are often hesitant but quickly relax into pure delight as we experience the unique exhuberance that comes from splashing in mudpuddles and twirling with faces upturned to a summer rain shower.

This exhuberance is felt by campers and counselors alike, for nobody tries to stay clean and dry, and the resulting joy of this very childlike activity is remarkable. I love it when it rains, particularly when the rain is unexpected (as it was last night).

The forecast presented a 0% chance of rain (a percentage that rose to 5% by the afternoon). We had a special “Would You Rather” EP planned (a cabin bonding program where the girls ran around camp doing stations with two options… choose which one they would rather do before moving on to the next options). It was a new activity, one that was made more fun by the unexpected rain storm that hit us JUST as the EP began.

This was one of those BIG GULLY WASHING storms (1 inch of rain fell in 40 minutes) and the girls just embraced the moment like Greystone Girls ALWAYS do. The smiles were big as they ran around camp while the storm gradually got more and more intense. Rain only, but what a rain! We made the biggest mess… it is perhaps their most vivid memory of the summer so far and will certainly be remembered on the car ride home in 4 weeks! Got to love it! Everyone was talking about it as we dismissed to our morning classes.

All the camp activities are in full swing; I stopped by lacrosse and cooking this morning before going to the office. Love seeing how similarly engaged the girls are in such different classes. In each case the girls check in then quickly assume their places for the activity (groups of two in lacrosse, throwing and catching the ball with their sticks… amazing to watch; groups of 3 or 4 in cooking, washing hands and putting on gloves). The class is in full swing almost immediately and the chatter amongst the girls is subdued as they concentrate on the drill or the skill being taught. I love seeing the older girls working with the younger girls in such an open and friendly manner (it is obvious that friendships that transcend age groups are already forming). I love the preparations that the counselors have made to enhance the class experience as our first week ends. Camp is clicking along in a really wonderful way.

Today is a beautiful repeat of yesterday weather wise. If it rains for Team Fires tonight, we will just press on… but I don’t think rain likely. Seldom do these scattered showers hit the same spot two days in a row!

Team Fires is when the two camp teams decide on their Team Leadership (each team chooses a Captain and a Lieutenant) and their Team Mascot (The Tentalow Girls who are rising 8th graders present various options, complete with possible cheers and posters). They learn the traditional Team Cheers while the votes are counted, then all gather together to see the official swearing in ceremony by Dr. Margaret. It is a great night that kicks off a few days of team preparations (the culmination of which is our BIG Challenge Day on Wednesday).

We are having a great time making memories.

Thank you for checking in (the number of blog readers plummets on the weekend… I know it is a bit inconvenient!).

It’s a GREAT DAY!