July 22, 2026
Floating our candles at Closing Vespers is an iconic, memorable moment. We are “kind of” quiet as we gather for the program (many of the girls can’t help themselves from talking and laughing as they take their seats). We are dressed in our whites (defined as clothes with no branding or decorative stuff… just white). This is how we have done this program for a hundred years, and no matter how distracted we might be at first, our attention is quickly focused on the significance of the moment. The program is led by the campers: those senior-seniors who are now on the Honor Council. Their leading is not polished, but it is deeply appreciated by all (a polished presentation by 17-year-olds would not be as authentic; we are touched by the sincerity). Their singing was beautiful, their prayers from the heart, and their short talks on the important things of camp were surprisingly wise. It was a wonderful program but we all knew that the floating of the candles was likely to be a challenge.
The steady breeze that had been so enjoyed all day did not relent as the program progressed toward the big moment. I hoped that as the sun set the wind would go away, but it was an effect of a cold front that is impacting the region; it was not going anywhere. We proceeded to light and float the candles as normal, but it was NOT effective in providing the much-anticipated spectacle of almost 1,000 candles floating in a calm mountainside lake under a bright rising moon. Instead, the candles were quickly extinguished by the strong wind. The “candle boats” were pushed back to shore in massive groups as little waves washed over the sodden planks. All of this happened while the girls sang praise songs and held hands in rapturous appreciation of a moment that was beautiful in an unanticipated way.
It reminded me of that Dr. Seuss book How the Grinch Stole Christmas. That moment when the Grinch pauses to listen, expecting to hear the Whos crying because their presents are gone but instead hears them singing together. Every Who in Whoville - young and old - is holding hands and celebrating Christmas anyhow. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more! Candles, blown out, sitting in soggy grass, clouds covering the sky… no problem. We soaked up the moment with joyful sorrow.
Your girls - young and old - “get it”. The magic of life is not found in perfection but in people. We love each other in particular (best friend, bunk mate, tennis partner, etc) and as a group (hundreds of familiar faces with distinct voices/dance moves). The combination of this group has made for a golden summer. Our best year ever. Our best session ever, and that is saying something.
Today we are still enjoying the steady breeze, the cloudy skies, the mild temperatures, and the chance to go to favorite activities one last time. Some classes are very intense for some girls. For example: Izzie, a Senior, passed Expert in riflery yesterday, the culmination of many years’ effort that came down to a single remaining class period. The accomplishment was celebrated by the whole camp in the Dining Hall! Some girls still strive to achieve a level, but most are just enjoying the time with their friends as they go about their normal MWF schedule. Today’s schedule changes at lunch. We will eat a picnic because there is no admittance to the Dining Hall after breakfast (we are decorating for Banquet).
The Banquet is a very big deal, as you can imagine. It is a feast that is celebrated to mark a moment in an extraordinary way. The theme is celebrated with an elaborate skit (first revealed at Flag then performed in the Pavilion). Our counselors do it all with love and with all of their creative abilities put into joyful action. The final cabin photos (in our whites), the run down the road (holding hands), the entrance (decorated by and featuring the Men Staff), and then taking our places in the Banquet Hall (every seat marked with our name). The Banquet meal, the toasts, the traditional Banquet songs, the department cups and awards, and the final announcement of team scores proceed as they always have. It will be a wonderful night. It has been a wonderful summer.
Rain is forecast tomorrow; be prepared with the proper gear (shoes especially). It is one of those rare occasions when it looks like the rain will fall throughout the day (1-2 inches expected). Not likely to be a heavy rain, but certainly something to take note of. It will still be a wonderful day. We hope you will be able to walk around camp and meet some of those who have made this summer sweet for your girls.
Thank you for reading. It has been a pleasure.
- Breakfast Croissants, bacon/cheddar omlettes
- Joke The Frog and the Scorpion
- Lunch Taco in a Bag
- Dinner Chicken Fingers, fruit salad, pasta salad
- EP Banquet
- Weather Cloudy, breezy, 84 degrees, chance of rain