July 9 2024

Today is Do Nothing Day. The announcement yesterday had me wearing a red velvet cape reading (singing) a proclamation to they style of “Farmer Refuted” from Hamilton (I had to look up the name too… but you might know it): Heed not the Rabble who scream revolution, they have not your interest at heart. I instead said Heed not the Head Staff who say Laura Laura, who has your best interest at heart… It goes on to state that it is time to rest from the schedule, and declare a do nothing day. Crazy loud cheer, Sarah announces the details. Basically, it is a day that the campers and counselors hang out together. You might think that is not fun, but you would be wrong!

Last night, Margaret and I hosted the 9th graders at our house. We did it right (catered dinner from a really great restaurant, assigned tables, house tours, Miss Julie in the game room, and Disney Plus playing in the theater). They loved getting dressed up and hanging out with us. They loved just talking in such a relaxed and civilized setting. It provided a moment for those friendships forged over time (some of them have been coming to camp for 10 years) to steep in a different setting. This is what marks camp this time of the summer… all we have to do is put them together and they have fun. This is why Do Nothing Day works.

We will have some laid-back activities going all morning like a Descendants movie marathon, karaoke, tye-die, friendship bracelets, chalk art, walks on the river trail, talks by the lake. Lunch and Rest Hour will continue as normal and free swim at waterpark and the pool this afternoon. Tonight will be our rotating EP (½ doing Masked Singer, 1/2 doing water stuff).

As this is a true “do nothing day,” there won’t be any photos. Regular photo uploads will resume tonight. The reason for this is twofold. First the practical… our goal with photographs in the summer is to provide you with good photos, as many as we can. To do that we have a team of 4 photographers, one of which is a professional (Steve, comes in from town and takes photos every day) the rest counselors. They do a good job, but it is surprisingly hard not to burn out. I know this from experience for I am one of those photographers and I have experienced the effects of artistic burnout myself. Photography is an art that requires effort; we think that giving the photographers a do nothing day like everyone else will have a positive effect on the pictures for the rest of the session. Worth trying, in my opinion.

The second is philosophical… we think it is good for you to have a break too. By that I mean a pause in the relentless 7 day a week routine that camp photos can become. Checking out the photos is good routine to have, I love thumbing through the days photos and looking for favorites. It is a delight, but I also think that a break from a daily routine is a good thing. It is an experiment and sometimes we have to try something new and see how it goes. Let us know what you think in the post camp survey… with the benefit of hindsight, was it a good thing or not?

Thank you for giving these girls this camp experience. As you read this, imagine campers sitting in small groups all across camp - on the see-saws, on the fishing dock, on bunks, in eno’s, under a big tree. Imagine a big group sprawled out in the FORT before a 25 foot screen, quietly chatting or watching intently the bad acting and cheesy special effects of the Descendants franchise (a Disney show, I have only seen bits of it… my assessment might be off). We’re moving slowly and soaking in the time with each other - how often do we get this chance out in the “real world?” Even in the fun and excitement of big Evening Programs and events, there is a stillness and peace here in the bubble that allows campers and counselors alike to take a deep breath and experience a true sense of rest that can only come from God. Perhaps it is time for you to take a Do Nothing Day… not now, but perhaps in the next couple of weeks. It is easy to consider our routines to be rest and perhaps they are, but there’s no substitute for nothing.

Breakfast Buffet: Ice Cream (yes!), Waffles, bacon, cereal, fruit

Lunch: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Dinner: Pork Chops & Mashed Potatoes

Weather: High of 87 degrees, might get some rain in the afternoon (perfect for a do-nothing day)

EP: Rotating EP