June 12 2025
Camp is a surprisingly busy place, as I am sure you can imagine. We are, in some ways, hosting the biggest sleepover ever (and you know how hard those things can be). All campers have needs, and we (the counselors, head staff, nurses, maintenance team, housekeeping team, and laundry team) respond to each one immediately, all while maintaining a cheerful smile on our faces. You can’t fake the attitude (doesn’t work at camp), you need to engage in the moment while at the same time stay on task (prioritizing the many things on your plate). It is a mind-numbing experience and hard to explain… because it is also delightful. Despite being hectic and demanding, serving this wonderful community is uplifting in ways that defy words. It is a place that draws us back year after year, and we love it! A word of encouragement from you has a remarkable effect… consider saying “thank you” this week!
I begin with that overview because it has been a challenging yet happy morning. I have not had a moment to think because of the various tasks I need to attend to, and my heart is full of joy with the work. It is clear that the rest of the staff share the same sentiment (feeling overwhelmed) and are responding in a similar manner (with a heartfelt smile). If the blog seems a little scattered today, it might be due to my scattered attention!
Today we have overcast skies, a chance of afternoon rain, and perfect temperatures for camp fun. We will enjoy another of the “rotating group nights” (water, messy, inside game) and get to bed on time. The sleep will do us good. Many of us are getting tired and will welcome tomorrow’s “Sleep Late Friday” (an extra hour of sleep, followed by a picnic breakfast, then a return to the regular schedule). After two weeks of camp, the girls are a bit weary and need to build up reserves for what is just around the corner. Banquet Day is just one week from today, so every day will be bigger than the one before. With every day, the girls are assuming more and more responsibilities (in their cabins, in their classes, at their tables, and with themselves). Each time they do what needs to be done (with a smile), they get a little more mature and add a little more to the group.
Their maturity will be noticed and appreciated by you when they get home. This growth is also happening with the staff. They are developing character traits that equip them to shine brightly in the “real world”. Such capable, organized, hardworking, and joyful people will be a delight to their coworkers, employers, friends, and family. If you are ever considering a new hire, I suggest looking for people with camp experience. They are likely to be delightful employees!
- Breakfast Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches (croissant, egg, ham)
- Joke The Spirit of the Sweet Little Dog
- Lunch Hamburgers, sweet potato fries, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
- Dinner Mojo Pork, black beans, rice, plantains
- EP Rotating Group Night
