We're Back!

At 7:35 this morning I stood in front of the staff in the dining hall with the biggest smile screaming “It’s finally here…the campers are coming!!,” I exclaimed as the dining hall erupted in overwhelming cheers, whistles and applause. As my eyes filled with tears, I quietly gave thanks for the amazing group of people that I have fallen in love with over the past ten days during our staff orientation. These are the most kind, loving, enthusiastic, singing and dancing through life group of young adults I have ever worked with. They are SO excited about speding time with your children and cannot wait to share the next week with them.

As the gates flung open to welcome our campers, I looked at the staff surrounding me and said “WE ARE BACK,” and today I knew that Camp Highlander is better than ever! What an amazing Opening Day we had on Old Forge! This was the most efficient check-in process we’ve ever had, and we loved seeing all of our campers sweet faces as they jumped out of the cars, ran through the tunnel and eased into camp life.

Today was full of big smiles and great anticipation of the wonderful memories we will make this week. There were some tears today, but most of them were coming from me (and some of you too)! With every parent that said good-bye to their child, I was overwhelmed at the incredible gift you have given us…your children. I know that these good-byes were harder than ever before because of the challenging year we’ve all had. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be in your lives and to share this week with your children.

As campers arrived to camp, counselors spent the morning helping them unpack their trunks, make their beds and get settled into their new home…their cabin. Cabinmates played games in the cabins while listening to music and getting to know one another. Counselors and campers loved having the slow morning to get settled and acquainted with new friends, but as soon as we finished our lunch we hit the ground running!

Cabins enjoyed their first afternoon of activities, completed their swim evaluations and took their official cabin photos. The sounds of laughter and singing filled the mountain, and as I closed my eyes I knew that all was right in our world at Camp Highlander. The magic of our mountain is alive and well.

Favorite Details of the Day

• Meals: Lunch was our Opening Day tradition - grilled cheese, tomato soup and green salad. Dinner was turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, mixed green salad and rolls.
• EP: Cabin Challenge and Opening Campfire
• Weather: We had a beautiful morning to welcome all of our campers to camp. During rest hour, we had a brief afternoon rain shower that brought the most beautiful sun to our afternoon and evening!

Cabin challenge was our evening program for the night. Cabins competed with other cabins in their neighborhood in challenging games like Pictionary, musical ice buckets, Up/Down, Rock, Paper, Scissors and more. Cabin 12 took home the win in the whipped cream cheeto challenge. In the spirit of camp, this was not only a victory for Cabin 12, but a victory for Girls Camp and we were excited!!

We ended the night with the oldest Highlander tradition, campfire. We enjoyed music, dancing, singing and lots of laughter as a camp family. This is special time for cabins and for all of camp as we gather together and appreciate the gift of camp. But the fun has just begun, stay tuned for more magic and memories from Old Forge Mountain!