July 3 2024

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It’s Challenge Day, that wonderful tradition that marks the summer as officially awesome in my world. Opening Day is more satisfying, Closing Day more poignant, but Challenge Day is just plain fun. Campers delight in the games, relays, matches, and races (all of which were challenges formally made and accepted at Morning Assembly). Counselors appreciate the break from the normal class schedule (they are watching, officiating, and cheering with just as much enthusiasm as the girls).

The slower pace of the day (no classes all morning and a relaxed Council Fire tonight) suits our expectations of an ideal summer vacation. A spirited game of Volleyball watched by the entire camp as the traditional first challenge of the day kicks things off and we then spread out around camp to compete for points and cheer on our friends. The morning ends at Softball (when we will hand out cold Shasta cola and some kind of snack) and a Senior Tug-a-War. Challenge Day is appreciated not only for the games but also because of the important moment it marks in our camp experience.

We have now been at camp for ten days. This marks the point in the summer when we relax into camp life with unfettered delight. Dr. Sevier noted this camp fact during his first summer in 1920. For some reason, ten days is the time it takes us to form a unique community. We can run a really wonderful camp in less time, but it is not in the same ballpark as a longer session. Many are satisfied with the shorter timeframe, but they also quickly outgrow such an experience. This unique community experience is what sets us apart and makes our camp special.

We love short camp sessions, they are fun. Most camps operate using a template based on two weeks (it is a “sweet spot” for a fun camp experience), but we find that significant growth consistently happens if we allow time for the community to mature (as with wine, there is no substitute for time). Time for campers to let their guard down, to be themselves, and perhaps not be on their best behavior. Time to ask and extend forgiveness. After ten days, we experience camp at another level. Campers learn to trust each other, confide in their counselors, and relax in a gloriously nuanced camp experience.

By this point, we appreciate camp differently. We are finding our “tribe” (a benefit of larger camp communities is that more people form more groups). We have a surprising capacity in some activities we did not previously know we had. We are surprised to find we have an eye for art or are good at tennis. Perhaps we are acknowledged as the “blob queen” of Waterpark class or best shot in riflery. All over the camp, our abilities are celebrated in settings big and small, and our confidence builds. We find ourselves having long DEEP MEANINGFUL Conversations with new friends at surprising moments of the day.

We find ourselves anticipating each moment of camp life in different ways… what’s served at a meal; the breakfast club joke punchline; around the world camper/counselor games at tennis; lounging by the lake at Putt Cove; finishing another book in a gently swinging hammock. We talk and discover other campers and counselors who share our interests. We start new fads, learn new skills, make new friends, and the hours and days FLY BY. We will be shocked when Closing Vespers arrives in a few weeks. Ten days mark the point when time shifts, and we find life passes in a flash.

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