Welcome Home Session C

I can hardly believe that today was the last Opening Day of 2019. This morning I found myself slowing down to enjoy every precious moment that Opening Day holds- the hugs shared between friends, the screams of excitement as a new cabinmate arrives and the laughter that brings everyone together. Everyone is so excited to see those that they haven’t seen since last summer and meet new friends that they will have for a lifetime.

This morning we welcomed home lots of campers who have been coming to Highlander for many years. I was overwhelmed with joy as I watched them eagerly jump out of their cars and run into the arms of their friends,as if they had finally made it home to the place where they belong. I smiled as they unloaded their camp essentials…their chacos, water bottles, the backpacks, pillows, camp costumes and more. But the most important thing they brought to camp…their Highlander spirit. Their passion and love for this mountain and the people that make it so incredible is the greatest asset to our camp community. It is powerful and positively contagious, and that Highlander spirit lives on because it lives in each and every one of our campers and staff.

That spirit is what welcomed each and every new camper and family into our camp family today. As these campers stepped out of the car and were greeted by their friendly counselors and joyful cabinmates, I saw the nervousness disappear and their smiles grow. After one afternoon of getting settled into camp life, these campers are bursting with excitement and anticipation for all that is to come over the next three weeks. It won’t be long before these new campers call Highlander home.

Camp Highlander is here where love resides. It is here where incredible memories are made. It is here campers discover that friends are more like family. And it is here that they experience unending laughter that speaks of the innocence and fun that only camp can provide.

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much today. From the overwhelming cheers from the staff during announcements at breakfast as I said, “The campers are coming,” to greeting old faces and meeting new ones, to looking out into the crowd at campfire tonight…I couldn’t stop smiling with overwhelming gratitude for each and every one of your children. Thank you for sharing them with us this summer. We are incredibly grateful for your support and encouragement. We look forward to a great session and sharing it here with you each day.

Favorite Details of the Day

• Meals: Grilled cheese, french fries, tomato soup and salad bar for lunch (an Opening Day tradition and a camper and staff favorite.) Dinner was pot roast with vegetables, mashed potatoes, green salad and homemade rolls. For dessert we all enjoyed the world famous Highlander Mudslide.
• EP: Campfire!
• Special Events: Today we jumped right in to camp activities. Cabins took their cabin photos, had their swim evaluation and got their 2019 camper t-shirt. It was a busy afternoon and so much fun!
• Weather: As you know, the weather was perfect today! Sunshine all day and we all enjoyed a cool breeze that joined us tonight at campfire - perfect weather for the first night in our beds!