Monday Morning

Happy Monday everyone!

This begins our “Middle” week of camp, the best week of camp in my opinion. I like to 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 first get really comfortable and with that ease comes a lot of magic. This week is when the friendships will go deep, when our skills will show remarkable progress, when our cabins groups gel, and when we first appreciate the impact of an extremely close community. It is the best week of June Camp and what makes June Camp preferable to shorter sessions for many families.

We expect that there will be some little arguements between friends at some point this week. Personality conflicts are normal in life and at camp we develop skills to successfully get past such moments. Dealing with conflict in a loving way is a wonderful experience that the counselors will facilitate. 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.

Trail Rides at Thunderhead begin Wednesday, I hope to get over there to observe the first day of setup this amazing facility. Kind of a historic moment! The girls will enjoy some great weather (highs around 80, partly cloudy skies, chance of rain in the afternoon).

Tonight we are doing a super funny EP where the girls will dress as old ladies and spread out over the camp to do a bunch of old lady games and relays. It is silly and brand new to camp… should be a hit!

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

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