Session A Opening Day!

It was a beautiful Opening Day on Old Forge Mountain, and I was so happy to see all of our Session A campers when they arrived today. The excitement on their faces was contagious, and I just couldn’t stop smiling as I watched them run, play and laugh as they greeted new friends and settled into their new home for the next two weeks.

I love Opening Day… so many great moments to fill our hearts with memories and joy for years to come. These sweet moments have been experienced at Camp Highlander for over 60 years, and this morning before the gates swung open, I found myself pondering how Opening Days have probably changed over the years. I know I have seen plenty of change in my 18 summers at camp, so I cannot even imagine how much has changed since that first summer in 1957. However, there are some things that are true today, that I imagine have been constants since Highlander’s inception: the butterflies fluttering in your stomach as you turn on to Dalton Road, the smiles of anticipation and excitement that stepped out of each car, the tears from mom or dad as you let your baby go for the next two weeks or the joy of watching your child smile and wave as they take that first step towards independence.

These are the moments that I never tire of hearing about, witnessing or celebrating because they remind me why we are here and why camp is such a gift for you and your camper. Highlander is a wonderful, beautiful and happy place dedicated to loving and serving your children right where they are. Thank you for being a part of our family. We are so glad you are here!

Favorite Details of the Day

• Meals: Opening Day tradition lunch - grilled cheese, french fries, tomato soup and salad bar. Dinner was pot roast, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, homemade rolls and salad bar. And we finished it off with the yummiest dessert - Highlander Mudslide (brownies, ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries) Yum!
• EP: Campfire!
• Weather: The weather was absolutely amazing all day. The sun was shining but the day began and ended with a gentle mountain breeze to confirm why we all love summers in the North Carolina mountains!

Today was filled with the joy and hope of another magical summer at Highlander, and I love all that our Opening Day brings and the traditions that fill it. I love the feeling when the front gates open, and we hear over the radios, “The Campers Are Coming,” as our camp staff erupts in cheering. I love the first meal in the dining hall with the singing, chanting and teaching of new songs that make every camper feel a part of our community. I love the excitement that each cabin has as they head out for their first afternoon of actitivies. I love seeing the first projects made or games played. I love opening campfire - watching the campers dance to the songs they love and teach their new friends all the right moves. I love the tradition of lighting the torches, reading our Creed and ending our night holding hands with cabinmates as we sing taps.

These moments are priceless, but none of them would be possible without you, our camp families. We want to thank you sharing your child with us and making Camp Highlander a part of your summer. I hope you will learn more about life at Highlander from this blog and soon see why it is “A Place Like No Other.”