A Change of Pace

We awoke to cloudy skies, a stiff breeze, and the sound of distant thunder. Not normal weather at all, and the change of the normal pattern of sunny mornings and afternoon showers infused the whole camp with a palpable sense of excitement. It looks like we might get a rain day, the first of the summer!

Campers and counselors love rain days for they represent a change of pace from our normal routine. A rain day is not like “do nothing day”, for all of our classes meet as normal but we do the activities in the rain! This might not sound exciting to you but I can assure you that it is a ton of fun. We splash in mud puddles, throw foam balls soaked in water in tennis (we call it “foam ball” and the girls love it), swim in the rain, blob in the rain, play soccer in the rain… as long as it does not thunder, we do the regular class in a wet way. The real fun begins with the first sound of “Thor” (our lightning warning system). One blast from Thor and we seek shelter and the inside games begin.

There are many games that the campers and counselors like to play: Mafia, Family, Psychiatrist, Fishbowl, Apples to Apples, bingo, and Charades- the girls LOVE them all! These games are a ton of fun and surprisingly never get old. When your family is back together get your camper to lead the family in a game or two- simple old-fashioned fun for all!

As I look back over the past few posts I realize that I have gotten into a rut of “preaching” to you on what is being taught at camp. The fact is, the girls think very little about this aspect of the camp experience. Most girls come to camp to have fun and they are having a blast. They go from activity to assemblies to meals to events with great happiness shining on their faces. They are chatting NONSTOP with their buddies, laughing, squealing, holding hands, skipping, rolling down the hills, and playing tetherball. It is just a delightful place, full of routines and surprises that make for a storybook summer. We provide the message to assure that camp fun “means something”; when girls “get it”, the experience is transformed.

Last nights EP is a great example. I wondered if the girls would “go for” an evening spent in a camp wide competition of games and relays… silly me. They were TOTALLY INTO IT; the energy that was evident during the games portion of the evening was infectious. We served “Gutter Sundays” as a transition point, giving the girls time to cool down and walk back to the pavilion where the winners of each relay group gathered on stage for the chance to win a prize for the entire camp. The girls won T-shirts that will be given out later in the week… more “swag” to add to the growing pile. More memories to draw on later in life.

Sometimes parents ask if we are “overdoing” it a bit (Main Camp in particular is full of extra’s- note we had smoothies, chick-fill-a, Turkey Trot, Gutter Sundays yesterday)… if every day was like that it would not be a good thing for it would not delight. If you were here I think you would agree that the stuff doesn’t do anything other than enhance the good experience. Camp is actually very a very simple experience that is enhanced with moments that are wild and unexpected extravagance. We don’t have to do such moments, it would be much easier if we didn’t, but we find that the surprise and delight evident on every face are worth the effort.

Our fourth week is proceeding nicely. We are entering the final days of camp that will celebrate traditions and camp skills in a setting that is understood by the campers. The big surprises of camp mostly are in the middle, when the campers appreciate the boost of unexpected delight. Regular camp traditions are shockingly good and focused on the beginning and end of the Main Camp calendar… surprises work best in the middle.

Today’s menu… Breakfast featured skillets with hollandaise sauce. Lunch is BLT’s and dinner is Italian night (Ziti, Stromboli, Squash and Cannoli), the dining hall will be decorated in an Italian Restaurant theme. Good Times!

Tonight’s EP is the Counselor Talent Show… the girls love it, the talent might be a bit spotty but the skits are glorious!