Flexible and Willing

When hiring staff for the summer of 2021, our words for the year were “flexible and willing.” We knew going into the summer that things would likely change multiple times before the summer began, and we needed staff who would be flexible with change and willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. These words have been used in the last few weeks more than we ever thought possible, as we are changing and adjusting to new protocols, plans and procedures for how to keep camp safe and FUN!

What I didn’t realize about these very powerful words, until tonight, is that they don’t only apply to staff. Tonight at the Talent Show, Cabin 2 & 3 did a spoof skit with impersonations of all the leadership team. They went down the line saying things that “we” always say, and the whole camp laughed at these inside jokes. They dressed like us and tried talking like us, and we all laughed because most of them were spot on. When impersonating Mac, the camper who was playing Mac said “Be flexible and willing, flexible and willing.” It was absolutely hysterical, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear it. I love that this message, which has been a mantra with the staff, has trickled down to the campers. Flexible and willing staff leading flexible and willing campers makes for a really wonderful camp community!

As a camp director, that simple skit made me so proud. Flexible and willing were meant to inpsire staff, but they took these values and said “If they’re good enough for us, they’re good enough for campers.”

As a parent, I am grateful because these are character traits that I strive for my children to exemplify. I want my kids to know that things will not always go their way; that they may not always want to do something that is expected of them; that sometimes they will live or work with people who are different from them and that’s ok. I want my children to realize that a job description isn’t a checklist, and that true service truly means seeing a need and filling it. I want my children to be flexible to change, that is inevitable, and to know that they are willing to do the work with a smile and a positive attitude.

Flexible kids are unbreakable kids, and this is what we are shaping at Camp Highlander. We are building resilience in our campers. It’s not perfect for every camper every day, but we are teaching kids to adapt, to be flexible and to learn that even in the challenging times, they will not break. Our campers, your children, are the kids that will grow up to do great things for our world, because they are flexible and willing.

Favorite Details of the Day

• Reflect: Natalia gave reflect today. She spoke about the friendships that you make at camp and how they stand the test of time. These friends you make on this mountain stick with you for the rest of your life. Cabin mates become roommates and camp friends become best friends. No matter how far you go or how much time may pass, the friends you make here will always be there for you.
• Meals: For breakfast this morning we enjoyed warm cinnamon rolls, bacon, scambled eggs, and fresh fruit. It was a great way to start the day. We all enjoyed tacos for lunch with chips and guacamole. Delicious! For dinner, we had roasted turkey, mahsed potatoes and gravy, roasted broccoli, mixed green salad and warm, buttery rolls.
• Weather: Another perfect day of sunshine!
• EP: Tonight’s evening program was the much anticipated talent show! Campers showed off their amazing talents on stage, from singing and dancing to skits and hilarious jokes. It was a super fun night!