Slow Down Summer

Traditionally the day after Color War is the day of rest. Everyone is very tired after a long 4 days of competition, and nothing sounds better than a lazy day. Campers enjoy just hanging out with friends, lounging in their hammocks and soaking up every last minute of camp.

This morning we slept in late and enjoyed fresh Krispy Kreme donuts for our late breakfast in the dining hall. After assembly, we had camp clean up, and boy did we need it. After four days of rushing and racing around camp, there was trash and lost and found items EVERYWHERE. Each cabin was assigned a small area of camp where they would collect the trash and all the lost and found they saw in that area. Then we gathered back together at the assembly court where we had a GIANT lost and (fortunately) found party.

For lunch we had chicken quesadillas, chips, salsa, queso and salad bar. We played fun and happy music at lunch that had everyone singing along and dancing around the tables. After lunch, we enjoyed an extra long rest hour and some much needed sleep.

Our afternoon activity was a movie - Cars 3. The day of rest is the only day of the summer that we show a movie, so it is a really big deal to the campers to just be able to relax. No performing or competing is required for a movie, and this provides tremendous refueling for our campers as we head into the last few days of fun at camp. The head counselors popped popcorn and served soda from Gus’, which made the movie treat even better. Many campers made bracelets, braided hair, played cards or read a book during the movie, which is perfectly fine. Our goal is to provide a way for them to recharge and be ready for activities tomorrow.

For dinner we enjoyed a cookout on the field. This was the last cookout of the summer, and I found myself sad about it. Cookout is a camper favorite, not because the food is that great (although Bryan makes a pretty mean burger), but because this a time of friendship, fellowship and casual fun. There is something so wonderful about throwing the frisbee, eating on the grass and relaxing with friends as you look up at the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround you. I am not sure which is more beautiful to me, the view or the sound of the laughter, the cheering and the chatter. In just 3 short days, all of this noise will disappear, and my world will get a lot quieter. Oh how I am going to miss that beautiful noise!

We had a surprise visitor at cookout tonight…The Dolly’s Trolley. The campers went crazy! They were so excited! Dolly’s is a local ice cream shop with the BEST ice cream you’ve ever tasted. We frequent Dolly’s as a camp, as all our overnights, day hikes, and other off-camp trips visit Dolly’s for their world famous ice cream. We even have a flavor named after us…Highlander High Tide. Yummy, cold ice cream on a lazy summer day…it just doesn’t get better than this!

To add to our list of last…tonight we had our very last square dance of the summer. When Mac announced it as the last square dance at lunch, my heart sunk. I knew it was coming, but it just came too fast. Slow down summer! I don’t want it to end. I cannot believe how quickly it has passed. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend the summer with your children. They have filled my days with laughter, hugs, joy and so much love.