June 23 2025

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. After 62 years, I think I finally get it! There are always things to worry about, particularly at camp, and I find myself awakening early in the morning trying to fix a situation that MIGHT occur. As the worries gather, they become formidable foes, and such foes are difficult to defeat. Caring for your daughters is a heavy burden. Providing The Best Summer Ever after the previous summer achieved that distinction in such an obvious way is exhausting. Running camp with such a large community in a facility that is still underwater due to Hurricane Helene’s impact on the lake power generating station (the generation station is gone, and the lake remains in perpetual flood stage until it is repaired) is nerve-wracking. We worked extra-long hours to prepare for this day, often worrying every step of the way despite Jesus’ clear instructions to “not worry about anything but pray about everything.” We believed, but struggled with doubt. This morning, once again, proved that God sees that everything works out for good.

Many things COULD have gone wrong.

Rain (the field can’t handle rain and cars at the same time with the lake at this level). This includes afternoon showers, which can be very heavy in the mountains. A solid week of perfectly sunny weather did wonders for the track and no mud pits formed.
Maintenance Preparations (the soft underbelly of camp work). So much can go wrong with a 100 year old facility that is being stressed by a particularly large community. Cabins, septic systems, water systems, electrical systems, porches, roads, program areas… all are under tension and if any break we have to scramble. Our team is fantastic, and camp looks incredible - better than ever!
Food and Kitchen (the most important detail of every summer) are especially challenging this year. We are preparing more food than ever, with the intention of never running out of anything. An overwhelming abundance of excellent food from a varied menu is an absolute must, and our Kitchen has provided it over and over again this summer.
Staff (the beating heart of camp) were needed in abundance. The application process is intense, the interviews are in-depth, the orientation period is long, and our standards are high. Filling the staff is a difficult task, gathering the most staff we have ever hired might have been an impossible goal. In the end, more staff were drawn to camp than we even wanted! An overwhelming abundance of talented, inspired, joyful, loving counselors who want nothing more than to be here. I had nothing to worry about.

So when you saw me leading the cheer squad as you drove into camp, know that the joy on my face was not fake… I am giddy about this moment. Main Camp has started; our campers are here, God is with us, and we can now relax in the most comfortable setting imaginable.

The sight of cabins enjoying a picnic lunch while sitting in their crazy creek chairs under the shade of the poplar trees on the pageant court makes me so happy. It means that camp has started, the preparation is over, and good times await. Main Camp is special, a fact that you understand better than anyone. I look forward to enjoying it with all of you.

I look forward to once again writing the blog and sharing my perspective on what is going on at camp and a few details of our days. I feel like the Blog forms a connection with writer and reader, and that is a sweet thing. Know that we appreciate your support and love your girls. If there is anything that we can do to answer any questions or concerns you may have, please contact me. We are friends!

Weather sunny, hot, breezy (EP will be lovely by the lake)
Lunch smoked turkey, ham, pimento cheese, pasta salad, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, chips, brownies… picnic
Dinner Opening Day Spaghetti
EP Staff Skits (introduce all the program areas)