July 31 2025

Picture this: Evening Program is ending. The EmCees are wrapping up their “mermaid” presentation when they surprisingly declare that they have to go, jump off the stage, and run toward the lake. The campers screamed as they leaped to their feet and followed the mermaids to see what happened next. The mermaids jumped into the lake and frolicked in the calm waters under a setting sun. Epic mic drop moment. Well done, ladies!

Lip Syncs are AMAZINGLY effective at bringing cabins together and making every camper feel good. There is something magical that happens after performing on stage. Perhaps it is the preparation as excitement builds until that big moment when your cabin is called. Perhaps it is that adrenaline-powered rush of frantic dancing as the song plays and the entire camp watches with rapt attention as you dance what you think is a hilarious and inspirational move. Perhaps it is the surge of relief and satisfaction that follows such a performance, as the cabin strikes a pose one last time for the photographer and then runs back into the audience to catch the next act. Whatever the reason, this program works.

The Lip Sync EP provides a great moment for every cabin in camp. After doing a lip-sync, the cabin just works better. The girls are more confident with their place in the cabin and status in the camp community. They relish the affirmation of the crowd and know that they are accepted and celebrated for their creativity and enthusiasm. After Lip Sync, they are ready for the big camp programs to come.

Tonight we will put on our Green and Gold outfits, yell a lot, learn traditional camp cheers and team songs, and officially begin the team competition phase of the session. The program will end in time for everyone to go to fires and roast s’mores as they chatter excitedly about Challenge Day which we will celebrate the day after tomorrow (Saturday). Our spirits are high, and everyone will have a blast!

In one week, we will have our Closing Vespers, which means that each day counts. Reiterate this fact when you write your girls. These wonderful moments will quickly pass, and we hope they will appreciate every one of them. It is a rare gift to be in a place that celebrates the gift of time. The girls are LOVING camp and, at the same time, can’t wait to see you again. They are learning to hold both of these emotions at the same time… they are getting bigger. You are going to be so proud of how they have grown.

Temperatures continue to drop, the high today is expected to be 84 degrees (and a chance of afternoon showers, of course). This is HUGE news… for the effect is glorious in a “no air conditioning” setting like camp). Here we notice even slight changes in the weather. A drop of rain, a patch of sunlight, a spot of shade, a slight breeze, a large cloud… the list goes on. We notice everything and when we notice these details we are thankful. No matter what!

I expected August Camp to be hot because it is usually hot this time of year. This expectation was not a bad thing, for I have learned the art of loving whatever weather we happen to be enjoying, but it did prompt preparations. We have water misting stations around camp, hundreds of box fans, dozens of articulating fans, and some really big industrial fans to help keep everyone comfortable. We set everything up as the news did their “doom and gloom” prediction of another “heat dome” that would affect over one hundred million people. I expected it to be hot, but we like hot so that’s OK. Turns out, things are pretty awesome. High today of 84, tomorrow 80, next day 70, then 72… makes you wish you were here, doesn’t it?

Be thankful; God is Good!

Details: