Jumping for Joy

Today was the first camper’s choice day of the session, and we jumped in feet first to fun and adventure! We had a fantastic day of amazing activities with our new friends and camp family. Campers had a wide variety of activities to choose from to fill their day with unforgettable memories and lots of laughs.

All of our traditional camp activities were open for those who want more time at their favorite activity or prefer to work on their Master of the Mills. However, our very creative and fun cabin counselors also offer some non-traditional activities that campers get super excited about. Some of those include fishing on Silver Lake, letter writing, friendship bracelet making, dance-a-thon (giant dance party on the move), coffee house (relaxing social time) and even a recorder class. It always amazes me that these classes get more sign-ups than two or three other activities combined.

I love how camper’s choice not only gives our children the opportunity to practice decision making, by choosing their schedule and planning their day, but it also allows them the opportunity to socialize with campers from different cabins or different age groups.

It makes me smile when I see siblings who may not normally choose to hang out together at home, use this day as a time to reconnect with their brother or sister on the basketball court, at the ropes course or at the lake. I love to see the bonds of siblings strengthened over their love for Camp Highlander.I love to see our older campers developing friendships with their brother or sister cabins and practicing valuable communication skills that their phones prevent them from doing at home.

My favorite choice that your children make each day is that they choose joy. Their energy and enthusiasm for camp is incredible. They pour their heart and soul into their friends, their activities and our camp community, and it is so rewarding to see that camp brings out the very best in them too.

Favorite Details of the Day

• Reflect at the Rock: This morning Beth talked with us about the power of words. She reminded us that the most important words we speak are the ones we speak to ourselves. No one talks to you more than you do. We need to remember to speak words that are positive and nourishing to our souls.
• Meals: Breakfast was cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit bar. Lunch was french dip sandiwches, tator tots and salad bar. Dinner was chicken fajitas, sauteed peppers and onions, black bean and corn salad, homemade guacamole and salad bar. We had cinnamon and sugar churros for dessert.
• EP: AC Hunt! Picture a giant game of hide and seek, where the activity counselors hide and are worth positive or negative points. Cabins try to find as many activity counselors as possible and hope their score is the highest on camp!
• Weather: It was a hot day on Old Forge Mountain. The sun was shining most of the day, but we had a late afternoon shower that brought cooler temperatures for our evening.