Challenge Day
Today is Challenge Day, a wonderful tradition that ALWAYS happens about ten days into camp. Ten days happens to be the “fulcrum point” of the camp experience: that time when a camper fully adjusts to camp life and settles into the real “meat” of the camp experience.
Till this point we have been adjusting to life at camp. As directors, we have found that it takes about ten days to fully settle into camp (a fact my Great Grandfather noted from the very first year). After ten days, camp is experienced in a deeper, more relaxed fashion. For this reason, Main Camp is special because most of the camp session occurs after this adjustment.
The longer time frame allows two solid weeks of “normal camp life” before we begin the big camper programs (Productions, Plays, Shows that feature camper talent). These middle weeks are the best weeks of the summer: marked by deep growth and character development. There is LOTS going on and all this activity leads to growth. Our jokes are funnier, our conversations deeper, and our experience of camp is more poignant. This is when emotions well up and love abounds. We appreciate the good things of life and are thankful. The very definition of a “Sweet Spirit”.
The weather continues to be VERY comfortable (highs in the low 80’s) and sunny (at least in the mornings). A normal 50% percent chance of rain will exist every afternoon (leading to rest hour showers most days). The girls will be worn out by lunch (this is a very active morning coming after a late night) and everyone will take a good nap at rest hour (don’t expect many letters to be written today!).
The late movie (The Princess Bride) was turned off about 30 minutes into the show (at the “Cliffs of Insanity”) due to a passing storm. The weather radar showed only one other storm within 200 miles… but such is life! We were able to settle down, drink YooHoo’s, and eat pizza; so from the camper’s perspective it was still a hit. I would not have wanted to show the movie in the pavilion, the whole experience of watching it outside makes this event memorable… so in one sense we accomplished exactly what was intended.
A few Details of the Day
- Breakfast: Ham and Cheese Bagles
- Lunch: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
- Dinner: Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
- EP: Miss Greystone
About the Miss Greystone Pagent… this is going to be really fun. Each cabin will be represented by their counselor. The cabin gets to dress up their counselor (in a theme that was given to them on Sunday) and help with her scripted answers (to the “personality” questions that form the basis of the emcee’s banter). We did this program at June Camp and it was one of the funniest programs of the session… We think that it is the perfect program for Main Camp (really smart and full of little inside jokes).
Breakfast Club now turns to Mental Growth, the second of our four foundations. Today we encouraged a postive attitude toward every situation, for there is always good if we seek it. A positive spirit makes for a joy filled life, we hope every girl experiences this reality while at camp and makes this attitude a part of her life.
Thank you for checking in. We hope you will have a Great Day and a wonderful 4th of July celebration tomorrow!