We have been in camp now for nine days, with only four days until our campers go home. How is that possible? Yesterday we felt like we were just entering week two, and now we are in the countdown to the end. The truth is, the next three days will fly by and it our plan to make every moment count.

One of the things I love the most about camp is seeing the world through the eyes of a camper. The perspective of a child, while less experienced and maybe less wise, is much more simple than those of adults. I love the way that our campers view the little things, and I am inspired by their carefree spirits.

We have been blessed with beautiful weather all session, and this afternoon we had our first big rain. As a camp director, I dread rain. It is absolutely necessary to care for our mountain, fill our wells and nurture for our campers, but if I had it my way…I would order rain every night from midnight to 4:00am and sunshine all day. But today, your children changed my perspective.

As the skies opened up and the rain came pouring down, I watched as some campers didn’t run for shelter but ran to the rain. The laughter and squeals of their joy rivaled the noise coming from the old tin roof as they stomped in the puddles just because they could. There was a genuine celebration for the one thing that I dreaded most, and this is what caused them to dance. In this moment, I found myself giving thanks not so much for the rain but for how our campers see the rain, as an opportunity.

And so with three days left to enjoy your amazing children, I will not see that as a problem but an opportunity for adventure, fun and memories to be made. For the next three days, we will embrace every opportunity and make every moment count!

Favorite Details of the Day:

• Reflect - Adam spoke this morning at Reflect about kindness. He shared how sometimes when there are exciting things happening in our lives, like camp, we tend to focus on how those events are affecting us and we can lose sight of others. Adam challenged us to speak, show and give kindness to others because we never know how that kindness could make their day.
• Meals - Breakfast was pancakes, sausage, grits, oatmeal and fruit bar. Lunch was grilled cheese and tomato soup. Dinner was roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, haricot verts and homemade rolls.
• Dessert - Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream on top! Yummy!
• EP - Tonight’s Evening Program was a Harry Potter themed competition between boys camp and girls camp. After four rounds of endless competition, consisting of Dancing with a Hippogriff, Dumbledore’s Bowl of Memories, Ravenclaws Clawball, and the Wizard Grid. It came down to the final event, Quidditch. The cabins representing their houses were Cabin 9 and Cabin 26. It was a fierce competition to the bitter end. However,only one team could be crowned the House Cup Champion. The victor tonight was Griffyndor (Boys Camp)!

Intermediate Girls Special Event

The intermediate girls had a Friendsgiving on the porch of the lodge tonight, celebrating the friendships that they have made while here at Camp Highlander. Overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, they enjoyed turkey and stuffing but additional sides that each cabin made today during cooking class with Hope, our cooking activity counselor. It was absolutely precious!

Senior Camp Special Event

Tonight we surprised our senior campers with a trip to the bowling alley for a senior only EP. They had a blast! Senior EPs are one of the priviledges we give to senior campers, and they offer the opportunity for our older campers to practice their social skills and communication with their peers. This is one more way we make every moment count at Camp Highlander. Check out this video taken at the bowling alley below.