First Day

My favorite moment yesterday afternoon came as the girls ran into the Pavilion for their first “Assembly” of the camp session. The bugle blows, letting everyone know that Rest Hour is over and it is time to report to the Pavilion, and the girls RUN out of their cabins toward the loud music coming from the open air Pavilion. As they approach the building they are greeted by two lines of counselors clapping and cheering as they enter the meeting. We call it the Royal Reception and it is AMAZING! Gives me chills and makes my eyes mist over every time for it makes me think of heaven.

Hebrews 12 speaks of the “Crowd of witnesses” that surrounds us at all times. Never is this more tangible than at camp. Everyone here is focused on lifting each oter up in love… it is the primary job of the counselors and it becomes the focus of the campers as well. Even young campers get into this routine of relationship and it makes for a very sweet community.

Not that it happens immediately. Our first week will be marked by moments that should not have happened. Girls can be hurtful in unintentional ways and it is important that the counselors be present at all times to help the girls learn hor to see such mistakes, to ask forgiveness, to give forgiveness, and to move on in a constructive way. We do this very well and soon it becomes a habit with us all.

Love is marked by patience, kindness, and unselfishness. This is our theme of the summer and we hope that you will see the impact with your precious girls in three weeks. Such a good place to be… thank you for caring enough to read the blog and “get it”.

We encourage you to write hand written letters (solid gold in the eyes of the campers) and emails (good for referencing recent camp activities/events to show you are engaged). Many of you wrote cards and letters to be delivered on special days, as time goes on you will depend on the mail service (so anticipate a 3-4 day delivery time). Use the blog to know all the stuff that the campers are experiencing as a group. Even making note of the food is OK (food is a big deal at camp).

SO HERE IS THE RUNDOWN:

• The weather is perfect (high 75 degrees, low humidity all week)
• Dinner last night was Opening Day Spaghetti and rainbow sprinkle cookies.
• Breakfast: fried ham, fried apples, fresh biscuits, fruit bar, cereal, homemade granola, oatmeal, orange juice… best breakfast ever!
• Lunch: Roasted Chicken, carrots and peas, rice pilaf, salad, cookie
• Dinner: Pork Chops, steamed potatoes, roasted veggies, salad, cookie
• EP: Tentalow Lip Syncs

A quick word about Lip Syncs… they are AWESOME!!! The bonding effect of preparing an act to present to the entire camp for EP is profound. The girls work very hard to choose a song and work out the way they will present it in a fun way. They are nervous and excited about getting on stage and when they take their positions under the bright lights their excitement is palpable. The acts are always fairly short and “punchy”, always followed by a ROAR of applause as the girls run off stage to get their picture taken as a group. They hug, jump up and down, squeal with delight, and chatter without ceasing as they review how the act was performed… then run back to the “pit” to watch the next act. It is my favorite EP of the session for the effect it has with the girls! I love it.

OK, been writing too long and it is time to check out the classes. Thank you for reading and for caring about the details of camp. It is an honor!