The cabin unit is the heart and soul of the Camp Highlander culture. It fosters a sense of belonging and value in each and every one of its campers. It provides a safety net for healthy risk-taking and comfort for campers to be themselves and be loved.

The benefit of the cabin unit is that our campers get to experience so many different activities on camp as they discover new passions or talents that they didn’t know they had before coming to camp. With the support of their friends, campers feel free to push themselves and possibly embarrass themselves if they don’t know how to do something. I love to see that moment when a camper realizes that they are good at something they didn’t think they would even enjoy.

It is the support of the cabin unit that gives our campers permission to showcase their talents. Tonight we saw that Highlander’s got talent at our Session B Talent Show. It was fantastic! There were vocal performances, magic tricks, stand-up comedians, gymnast and tap routines, guitar solos, comedy skits, piano performances and more. I am so proud the courage shown from each of our campers who performed tonight in front of their peers.

As I sat in the gym watching the stage come to life, I realized that the most beautiful performance came from the crowd. With every musical presentation, there were hands waving in the air or clapping to the beat. Act after act, there were standing ovations, high fives, cheers and incredible support shown for our brothers and sisters at Highlander. It was the reaction of the crowd that made the pride beam on each of the performers’ faces. As they left the stage, they walked a little taller, their smile was much bigger and their confidence was through the roof!

In moments like these, I am overwhelmed by the LOVE that our campers give one another and the impact that it makes. This is what makes Camp Highlander A Place Like No Other! Thank you for sharing your talented, kind-hearted and loving children with us. They never cease to amaze me!

Favorite Details of the Day:

• Reflect - Karl shared some wisdom from Cowboy Ethics. He talked about happiness and that true happiness is a choice.
• Meals - Breakfast was biscuits, sausage, eggs and fruit bar, oatmeal and grits. Lunch was chicken caesar salad. Dinner was a Thursday night tradition - Cookout! We enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, chips, cole slaw and chocolate chip cookies.
• Special Events - Intermediate camp had a surprise pizza and pool party at lunch today. Campers enjoyed pizza outside on the sundeck and then played in the pool during rest hour. This was a HUGE treat! Papa John’s pizza (yes, please), swimming in the pool with friends and no rest hour…an intermediate camper’s dream!
• EP - Talent Show!