Vespers

Tonight we will assemble and light our candles in our last Vespers ceremony of 2017. It is a poignant moment that is marked by tears at June and Main Camp because the girls associate it with the passing of an important moment in life. August Campers don’t cry (they are too excited about reuniting with you for anything like that) but they will certainly be stunned by the beauty of 700 candles around the flagpole. A sense of wonder at such a young age is certainly good enough for me!

How often are we struck by the magnificence of a moment? If you think about it, I bet you can think of one or two such moments in your life this year… but maybe not. Too often, we are just too busy to notice such situations. A breathtaking sunset is not seen because we are preparing dinner or responding to an important email. We don’t see a shooting star that fills the night sky with long bright streak of light. We don’t notice our child giving kindness to an unexpecting person. We don’t see such moments because we don’t pay attention.

Tonight we will pay attention… for one minute… and that is enough. Significant experiences are often short; this will certainly be true tonight. The counselors will light their candles and hold them high, then the campers will light their candles and do the same. From the lighting of the candles to the final singing of taps the campers watch with rapt attention. It feels like not more than a minute, but that moment is remembered for a lifetime.

The simple lessons of camp endure, for they are founded on rock solid principles that endure. Growing Socially, Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually every day is a good principle for a well lived life. The girls have experienced the good feelings that arise when we live this way and we hope they will continue these habits after they return home.

Camp is much more than fun… it is life well lived. What a great place!

Today will be our last full day of classes. We will finish our projects, pass our levels, enjoy one last dance, one last song, one last cast, one last swim… then go back to our cabins to start packing up. There will be long hot soapy showers this afternoon. There will be countless trips to Lost and Found. The campers will get help from their counselors as they jam all of their “clean” clothes into duffles and trunks (get prepared for a big laundry day when they return home). And there will be much joy in every moment.

Closing Vespers is the culmination of a joyous session. A moment that is enjoyed in absolute silence at the end of a wonderful day. The candle focuses our attention on it all and we are struck by how quickly it is blown out… and stunned that the summer is drawing to a close.

Thank you for making camp a part of your summer.

• Breakfast - Waffles and sausage! The girls love waffles with a passion… a fact that you are well aware.
• Lunch - Chicken Enchalada’s
• Dinner - Taco in a Bag

Have a GREAT DAY everyone!