We had a GREAT DAY at camp today. We woke up to an overcast sky with the foreshadowing of rain this morning. The sun quickly warmed the mountain and beamed brightly for our Session C panoramic photo after breakfast. After squinting in the sun and smiling til our cheeks hurt, cabins raced to get a popsicle on the way to their second period. The temperatures were in the low 80’s for most of the day, and the evening rain brought a chill to the mountain, which left us the perfect temperature to sleep soundly.

I love the energy of Session C. It is the perfect combination of it’s almost over, and it’s only just begun. Our staff realize that after being at camp for 6 weeks, they are on the downhill of this amazing gift called Camp Highlander. They are eager to make the most of each day with the campers and enjoy the wonderful details of camp life that they often take for granted. They are determined to squeeze the best out of the rest of their summer, while pouring out all the love they can on those around them.

The camper energy spills out of the excitement that has been building all year long to return to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and their home away from home. That energy is contagious, and they can’t wait to share it with new campers and experience the joy of making their day!

Today, happiness filled Old Forge Mountain! I saw it in the bright smiles on their sweet faces throughout the day. It was evident in their pace (somewhere between a skip and a run) as they traveled from activity to activity. The energy blared in the dining hall at each meal as they chanted, sang and danced their hearts out. And tonight as campers were laughing in the rain during EP, I realized that these are the memories that will last a lifetime…and we’ve only just begun!

Favorite Details of the Day:

• Reflect at the Rock - Reflect this morning reminded us to find the happiness at Highlander as you make this place home. “The happiest people don’t always have the best of everything - they make the best of everything that they have.”
• Meals - Breakfast was pancakes, eggs and sausage and fruit bar, oatmeal and grits. Lunch was sloppy joes and tater tots! Dinner was the roast, rosemary potatoes, haricot verts and salad bar. Yum!
• EP - Tonight’s EP was Cabin Challenge. Cabins dressed in theme and ran all over camp to compete in everything from musical ice buckets to freeze dance or relay tic-tac-toe. Cabin 24 took the victory in the finale of tonight’s EP!
• Off-Camp Trips - One of the things I love the most is getting our campers into the nature of Western North Carolina. Today we sent our campers rafting on the Nantahala River, hiking in Pink Beds and climbing at Table Rock. Adventure is waiting, and our campers went to find it.