First, thank you.
Thank you for sharing your precious girls with us, for choosing this experience over all the other things you could have done. It is a wonderful gift to your girls and to this entire community. Each camper adds so much… the curious alchemy of making golden summers is a result of each camper’s contributions. Thank you for making this summer so good.
Second, some housecleaning:
Tomorrow is Closing Day, and we encourage you to come early. Most campers are gone by 10:00AM and while we are happy to have the girls here, they tend to feel sad once the camp empties of other campers. We will open the gates at 7:30, I would suggest you arrive around 8:00 to 9:00. That gives us plenty of time to bring the luggage to the track where it is sorted by cabin groups. You park, go hug your daughter (in her cabin), check her out, carry the loose stuff to the car, we will load your trunk, duffle, laundry bag… everything heavy that was brought to the track. We tag each bag with your camper’s name, and number the bags you are to pick up. Be prepared to pick up more bags than you dropped off (the laundry bags are the ones most often forgotten on the track). Also make SURE that the trunk or duffle that looks like your bag is your bag (many look the same, easy to get someone elses bag).
My thoughts on the summer: it has been particularly good. It is never perfect, but this one has come as close as we have ever seen. I think God knew that we needed a good summer, I needed a good one. My father’s death put a lot more routines into my days, I felt the pressure and worked harder (got less sleep). God watched over this summer, I give him all the Glory. It has been very sweet.
Your girls are wonderful. They are grateful, they are joyful, they are obediant, they are respectful, they are diligent, and they are funny. Their efforts are remarkable, to be so young and so “wide eyed” yet accomplish so much… amazing. The future of our country is probably much brighter than you think; this next generation is going to deliver!
Camp is amazing. Take time to debrief from the summer… there are so many stories to hear, so many things to know… you might want to ask about the jokes first (always a good conversation starter), move on to favorite friends, counselors, events, food, and see where things go from there. Ask about the hard times too… it all goes into the perfect summer.
I want to know if anything was a disappointment or if there are suggestions for improvements. Most of my great ideas come from other people (campers, staff, and parents). Did it matter that we gave free emails or not? Did you feel that you were prepared for camp before you got here? I love hearing it all. We focus on details, that is where the magic really comes together each summer… so every little bit helps. New parents, especially, give a perspective that is helpful.
Today is hot (again), chance of rain (again), and filled with emotion. Everyone is happy, it feels like Christmas Eve. The counselors are working on the Banquet, even though classes are still going on. Larger departments send extra counselors to the Dining Hall to hang murals, streamers, assemble table decorations, set places, distribute favors, and do all the hundreds of details that go into the perfect banquet. The campers love this final act of love by the counselors… it culminates at the end of the night (after feasting, toasting, awards) when the counselors sing the traditional farewell to the campers. “Good Night, my God is watching orr you; Good night His presence goes before you; Good Night, and I’ll be praying for you; So Good Night, may God Bless You.”
I wish the world was like camp. It is as close to heaven as I ever see…
I will be blogging (if that is a word) on the news page all winter long. Starting with the beach next week (If I don’t, it is just because Margaret won’t let me work). Keep in touch.
And thanks again.
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