Camp Never Fails

Today was our first full day of camp which meant it was the first day of rafting on the Nantahala River, our first day for off-camp hikes and our first day of five activity periods this session. Today I heard the first chant at lunch, danced the first cha-cha slide for my dessert at dinner and watched our cabins enjoy their first time at an activity this summer. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much today because I was absolutely overwhelmed with the joy that this mountain gives to all of us. The enthusiasm, laughter and happiness on camp was absolutely contagious.

As I walked around camp today, I couldn’t help but smile for all the “typical” camp things that were happening…campers skipping from activity to activity, cabins singing a good-bye song of thanks to the activity counselor at the end of the period, joyful exclamations followed by applause as a cabinmate achieved something, long lines for seconds of the yummy camp food, noisy cabins getting dressed for EP and so much more. All of the anxiety we had for months preparing for this summer just disappeared as I watched a typical day unfold. The weird COVID rules about social distancing, masking, and neighborhoods seemed to be a big deal before the summer and lots of campers chose to take the summer off because of the changes required…but I am so grateful that your children didn’t. I am grateful that they are here being kids, having fun, making memories, growing, learning and enjoying a very typical camp day.

Though the world has changed and things are different, camp is constant, camp never fails. Masks or no masks, social distancing, rules, regulations and boundaries…those things can’t take away the blessings of camp and all that Highlander has in store for your children. Today I smile, I laugh and I cry because I know that Camp Highlander never fails to deliver the gifts to our campers and staff each and every summer. Today I am incredibly grateful for the normal and the simple perfectly typical camp day!

Favorite Details of the Day

• Reflect: This morning Melissa talked about one of the mottos of Highlander: “Choose Your Attitude.” We rarely have control of what happens to us in our day or in our life, but we always have control of the attitude we choose and our reactions in response to life. It isn’t perfect weather that makes every day at Camp Highlander a beautiful day; it’s the wonderful people and their glowing positivity that make this mountain truly shine. Even on the rainiest of days you can choose to come out and play and brighten the world around you.
• Meals: This morning we enjoyed a delicious plate of french toast sticks, sausage, eggs, and fruit to start the day. Cereal, oatmeal and grits were also available to enjoy. The campers cheered when the kitchen pulled out freshly made pizza for lunch. Salads were served alongside the pepperoni, cheese and veggie pizzas. Dinner was the favorite meal ofthe day. We enjoyed chicken fajitas, fajita veggies, mexican rice, black beans and delicious homemade guacamole. And to top it all off, when the disco ball went off in the dining hall…we danced and we had dessert - cinnamon and sugar churros! Yummy!
• Weather: The sun shone down on Old Forge all day. It was a nice and warm Monday afternoon, perfect for some activities at the lake!
• EP: The Monday night evening program was cabin challenge: athletes versus mathletes! Cabins worked together and competed in games against other cabins like Pictionary, Tic-Tac-Toe relay, musical ice buckets, ships and sailers and more! The goal was the ultimate prize of the EP trophy. In the end, Cabin 34 took home the gold and won the cabin challenge!