Our First Day

A good start is essential to a good camp experience. We work very hard to make sure that all obstacles to this outcome are removed or minimized from the “get go” and we think that we are well down the path to our best August Camp Ever! Opening Day was about perfect, a fact that was clear as the girls went back to their cabins and settled in for their first night. The girls had a great night sleep; a REALLY GREAT NIGHT’S SLEEP (taps blew at 9:15 and we slept till 7:30… 10 hours of sleep has never felt better!).

My favorite moment yesterday came as the girls ran into the Pavilion for their first “Assembly” of the camp session. The bugle blew, letting everyone know that Rest Hour was over and they ran to the Pavilion. As they approached the building they were greeted by two lines of counselors clapping and cheering as they enter with fun music blairing from the awesome sound system. We call it the Royal Reception and it is AMAZING! Gives me chills and makes my eyes mist over every time for it makes me think of heaven.

Hebrews 12 speaks of the “Crowd of witnesses” that surrounds us at all times. Never is this more tangible than at camp. Everyone here is focused on lifting up each other in love… this is the primary job of the counselors and it is the theme of our summer. Campers buy into this standard of relationship and it makes for a very sweet community.

Not that it happens immediately. It is important that the counselors be present at all times to help the girls with their friendships, demonstrating how to ask forgiveness and to move on in a constructive way when necessary. We do this very well and soon it becomes a habit with us all.

Love is marked by patience, kindness, and unselfishness. This is our theme of the summer and we hope that you will see the impact with your precious girls in three weeks. Such a good place to be… thank you for caring enough to read the blog and “get it”.

We encourage you to write hand written letters (solid gold in the eyes of the campers) and emails (good for referencing recent camp activities/events to show you are engaged). Many (most) of you wrote cards and letters to be delivered on special days, and we will soon be recieving overflowing tubs of letters (expect delivery 3-4 days after mailing). This blog will help you know what your girls are experiencing at camp. By including details of camp life, you focus their attention on where they are and reinforce the fact that it is good for them to be here! Thank you for partnering with us in assuring a happy camp!

SO HERE IS A SNAPSHOT OF TODAY:

The weather is perfect (high 80 degrees, low humidity, no chance of rain) Dinner last night was Opening Day Spaghetti and rainbow sprinkle cookies. Breakfast: fried ham, fried apples, fresh biscuits, fruit bar, cereal, homemade granola, oatmeal, orange juice… best breakfast ever! Lunch: Chicken Fingers, tater tots, salad, cookie Dinner: Shepherds Pie, salad, cookie EP: Tentalow Lip Synchs

A quick word about Lip Synchs… they are AWESOME!!! The bonding effect of preparing an act to present to the entire camp for EP is profound. The girls work very hard to choose a song and work out the way they will present it in a fun way. They are nervous and excited about getting on stage and when they take their positions under the bright lights their excitement is palpable. The acts are always fairly short and “punchy”, always followed by a ROAR of applause as the girls run off stage to get their picture taken as a group. They hug, jump up and down, squeal with delight, and chatter without ceasing as they review how the act was performed… then run back to the “pit” to watch the next act. It is my favorite EP of the session for the effect it has with the girls! I love it.

OK, been writing too long and it is time to check out the classes. Thank you for reading and for caring about the details of camp. It is an honor!