Moments

A glorious sunrise today- the entire eastern horizon filled with shades of pink, orange, and blue as another day began in splendor. The glory was quickly over, after one cup of coffee it was gone; “just” a golden promise of another warm summer day. The weather prophet is predicting a high of 91, warm indeed! Afternoon showers, which we love. Clear night, perfect for enjoying firefly catching under a moon that is almost full. North Carolina Summers… we love them!

Got a several comments on the update yesterday, parents agreeing that camp (any camp) is a wonderful thing. I often get asked what boys camps I recommend, now is as good a time as any to say: skip the paragraph if you like! My father started “Falling Creek”:http://www.fallingcreek.com/ , a wonderful camp just 10 minutes down the road in Tuxedo. John, my 12 year old son, is currently attending their Main camp and loves it (never writes home, I think that is a good sign). My oldest son, JF, attended “Rockmont”:http://www.rockmont.com/ , a wonderful camp about 30 minutes away in Asheville. I also have to mention a camp in Mentone, AL “Alpine”:http://www.alpinecamp.com/ , a camp that models Christ incredibly well. A visit to any camp you are considering is always advisable… pick up on the “spirit” of the community: I think these camps are worthy of close scrutiny. I didn’t mention any co-ed camps… just not my cup of tea!

The “Spirit” of this community is really wonderful right now. There is a sweetness to our time together that is fleeting… like the sunrise this morning, like the closing candle ceremony next week. Such sweetness is not intended to last for long, sin keeps us from that goal, but it is genuine and real. The dining hall is filled with familiar faces, counselors and friends shout an encouraging greetings to each other as they walk to the salad bar or to the “bread window” for another loaf of mana (we don’t use that word, forgive my attempts at a sanctified literary style). The “pit” has campers and counselors alike leaning on each other, often in the same places (funny how we gravitate to the same location, comforting somehow). They are relaxed, comfortable, expectant, engaged, healthy, happy, content, and satisfied. Joy shines from some faces, and campers are drawn to those faces in droves… and the joy spreads. What a great place to be.

Today will feature regular camp ending the day with our big Junior Play, “Honk”. Full costume, prop, special effects, lighting, sound, musical production… for younger campers! The girls will do an amazing job, and it is nice for the younger thespians to have a chance to shine. Camp does offer some very advanced classes, it is necessary if you are to engage 17 year old campers… but camp is not about “activity”. The classes are fun, a creamy filling sandwiched between the crunchy cookies of the beginning and end of the day; but not why the girls return for year after year. The “Spirit” is the reason for the gravity of this place… but the classes are good too! I can’t wait to see the “Art Show” this weekend: hundreds of creations, many of which I would gladly purchase if seen in a gallery. These girls are talented, we celebrate that talent, we enhance it, we direct it… it all adds to the feeling of quality that fills the air.

Food update is worthy of special note… for we are knocking it out of the park today. Breakfast was a new one, Crepes! It was a recipe from Alden Earl, one of our teen age cooks, that she called “Dutch Babies”. Don’t let the name fool you: these were good! Our new ovens baked these crepe like pasteries for the entire camp, served with fresh blueberries and whipped cream. Amazing. We are going to add this meal to our regular menu, the girls LOVED it. Tonight will be a new thing too… Bruchetta (tomatoes and basil on top of artisan bread toast), Big tossed salad (Olive Garden style), then Baked Ziti with meat balls, prochutta stromboli, sauted spinach, flat bread with garlic butter, and fresh peach tart (Peaches given by the Mills family, hand delivered from Louisiana- they are wonderful).