A Wonderful World

Louis Armstrong hit it just right when he recorded that iconic song in 1967 (50 years ago, can you believe it?). It has become a part of my life and I bet many of you feel a connection as well. It has a simplicity and optimism that somehow fits camp, particularly on this beautiful day.

The temperatures were delightfully cool, the pace of the day was delightfully active yet somehow relaxed. We are thrilled to have your girls in camp and as I sit in my office with the windows open, the sounds of happy girls fill the air like birdsong at sunrise. Our hearts are full and we are grateful… and think of that distinctive voice singing that perfect song:

I see skies of blue and clouds of white/ The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night/ And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Camp is a magical place. There is nothing like it that I have ever experienced. Here a large group of girls (almost all of whom are new to August camp) bond almost instantly to enjoy two weeks of fun and friendship. The counselors are SO EXCITED to have a chance to enjoy one last moment of camp before the real world crashes in with classes and other obligations that prohibit frivilous fun. We were blessed with perfect weather (which promises to be the norm for at least the next week) and are delighting in the cool temperatures. Life is good. We think to ourselves what a wonderful world.

My father used to get so excited about Opening Day… he would delight in every moment of this magnificent day. He loved that moment when the first car drove through the gates. He loved that moment when the men staff would groan with the sight of a hundred trunks and duffle bags to carry. He loved that moment when the campers first walked around camp with their new cabin mates. And he loved that first meal in the dining hall (always spaghetti).

He would turn to me and say “It’s time to raise the curtain and start the show!”.

That is how I feel too. There is a sublime pleasure in seeing our old camp be revived again… to take on the life of a vital community in the blink of an eye. I love seeing the cabin porches full of colorful trunks, hearing the sounds of delight through my open window, smelling the fresh bread baking in the kitchen, and feeling the warmth of the sun on a crisp summer morning. This place is heaven… a pure delight. THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE!

Margaret, Katie, and I enjoyed seeing many of you at the reception. The kitchen kept the tables full of hot coffee, warm scones, and cold apples all morning (quite an accomplishment) while we enjoyed a hundred little conversations. We deeply appreciate your friendship and support of camp.

The girls are having a great time touring the camp, getting their cabin photos, scheduling their classes, and taking their swim tests. Lunch is a fantastic spread that features our famous fresh baked bread, smoked turkey and ham (we have a huge smoker and cure our own meats), a wonderful pasta salad, lots of great veggies, fruit, Chips, and Plato’s brownies (a 60 year old recipe). It was a great spread!

Cabins will spend the day getting to know each other. The first hours are always a bit awkward (how could it not be!), so we make sure to give the girls plenty of time to do fun things together as a cabin group. My girls (I had three daughters go to camp) would enjoy that first day with a particular delight for it was so full of potential. “I might make my best friend for life today!” It rarely disappointed! To meet a best friend at camp is an experience that is never forgotten.

This afternoon the girls will go to their first classes (we offer two classes in the afternoon and five in the morning). They chose their activities and scheduled by cabin groups in record time (less than 2 hours to schedule every camper in camp!). Girls never waited in lines, as they were called to schedule with appointed times. A well oiled machine runs smoothly and instills confidence!

Tonight we will enjoy skits by the counselors for EP (Evening Program). These skits are done by program areas with program themes. It is the very definition of “hoaky humor”… VERY campy! By the end of the night the girls are really into the whole silly thing. They laugh, they cheer, they whisper to the girl sitting next to them, point out favorite counselors, and fully immerse themselves in “the bubble”.

Here we are safe to simply be ourselves; to do silly childlike games; to do silly childlike activities. It is fun… and it is good.

We love your girls and can not wait to see the amazing way God will bless this camp in the days to come. Thank you once again for making this “wonderful world” possible!