Encouragement

Any place that works with people has some degree of interest in encouragement. A business wants to encourage it’s employees (who will be more productive) and it’s customers (who will become loyal). Schools, churches, restaurants… there is not a segment of society that does not pay attention to this outcome.

Camp is no different. In fact, I think that camp is in the encouragement business. Our mission is to provide a perfect life experience for our community (campers and counselors alike). Camp life unfolds in a thousand little ways and we constantly assess our success in that outcome with observation and with surveys. An event is successful if it encourages our community in significant ways… if only everyplace had such a single minded focus!

Last night we enjoyed a wonderful Counselor Talent Show that featured acts new and old. The new acts delighted and the old were celebrated like old friends. The campers ended the day smiling with the memories of the crazy things we did… and that is what we try to accomplish every day. The counselors are encouraged (I don’t know why, but it is hugely affirming to perform on stage) and the campers are entertained (it is one of the most loved EP’s… once again, I don’t know why). The whole night is a huge success, we are still smiling.

We are now anticipating a hot summer day full of fun activities with new things to learn and fun things to do. We will love going to cooking class to make sushi, diving to master the back flip, Syncronized Swimming to polish our routine… riflery, archery, tennis, zumba, beat boxing, yoga, sailing… what a great place to spend the summer!

Tonight we will celebrate a moment of encouragement that will be a mountaintop experience for our Senior Campers. All of the Senior campers (rising 11th and 12th graders) are invited to perform (this is considered the Seniors “Talent Show”) and each cabin will sing a special song (often as tears glisten on their cheeks). Finally, about 15 girls are honored by their appointment to the “Queens Court” (a long tradition that has been updated for this generation).

The best part of the evening will unfold after the rest of camp has returned to their cabins. We will host a nice reception for the Senior campers in White Hall, catered by my sister Katie who is a wonderful chef. The girls attend the party in their pajamas and feast on Chickfila nuggets, dips, heaping mounds of tasty food and a huge assortment of desserts unique to the occasion. The night is capped off with a special devotion by Catherine Elbaum (my oldest daughter who married Peter Elbaum in April this year). They will be given wonderful cards that list the MANY wonderful character traits that have marked their time at camp… how they have impacted their friends in a positive way. It is a huge encouragement and a memorable moment. We love this night!

It is a nice hot day… again! The chance of rain has gone away, thus we will “glisten” as we decorate the pavilion this afternoon. We will once again sing after eating and dance before going to bed. The routines of camp will continue and we will be surprised at how great it is.

Life is good. Thank you for making it possible!