Nothing

Today is “Do Nothing Day”… and the girls absolutely love it. We surprised them with the announcement yesterday, tacking it onto the announcement about the overnight EP. The dining hall went wild, for everyone is very tired and nothing sounds better than a lazy “nothing” day. They knew they would be tired after the overnight and having a day to recover sounded perfect. So we are watching movies (Princess Diaries, The Little Rascals), lounging by the pool, sitting in our cabins, sleeping in the Eno’s, making friendship bracelets, doing crafts, knitting, reading books, and having DMC’s on the lawn. The camp is very quiet but has a hum of activity that is really delightful. We will have a picnic lunch and live music then top it all off with a long rest hour. Such a great day!

But about that overnight…

We didn’t see any moon. Didn’t see any stars. Didn’t sleep in tents. Didn’t roast s’mores. It wasn’t much of an overnight.

Our big overnight blast turned into a bust due to a huge thunderstorm that settled over Tuxedo just after the cabins setup their campsites. The rain was tremendous (about 1.5 inches fell in two hours) and pretty much soaked Everything. The girls made the most of the moment: dancing, playing tag, and rolling down the pagent court in the midst of the downpour.

After getting soaked, each group decided to go back to their cabins and take a hot shower and just sleep in their beds like normal. The only campers who stayed in their assigned campout locations were those who were assigned “luxury” cabins.

It certainly was not the night that we prepared for (by purchasing and setting up 35 tents, carefully laying out camp fires, organizing activities, stockpiling snacks, and a thousand other details). Such moments are deflating to camp directors… they also present a powerful moment to express the “Great Day” attitude in difficult circumstances. If we can’t practice what we preach, the message means nothing.

So in the end, we were encouraged. The campers had amazing attitudes and could not have responded better. The timing of the rain was so bad it was comical (in the end, they loved the idea of sleeping in their comfortable cabin). The counselors led by example, acting like the rain presented the most amazing opportunity for fun. The Group Leaders were amazing… leading with confidence at each campout site, making the difficult decisions about what to do next without hesitation. Their upbeat voices over the radio’s (despite the fact that the entire effort to set up this massive event was proving to be work that did not accomplish anything) inspired all to see the good. I couldn’t be more proud of the whole camp community. I don’t regret the rain.

This afternoon we will have normal classes then eat a wonderful feast at the Birthday Ball (where all girls who have birthdays at camp sit with Margaret and me at the head table and are honored by the whole camp). The EP will be a quality talent show, put on by the campers.

Thanks for checking in. We are grateful!