There is something so incredibly unique and powerful about summer camp that can hardly be put into words. If you have never been to camp, you will just have to trust me when I say that the summer camp experience has a life-changing impact on the life of a camper. I am watching these changes happen before my very eyes, and it is a beautiful sight to see.
Today I saw tremendous courage as campers faced their fears and overcame obstacles. Some learned they could do hard things even when they lacked faith in their abilities. I watched as other campers learned to lean on their cabinmates, realizing that life is easier with the help of a friend. I saw grace from campers who had been hurt by a friend and freely offered forgiveness. I saw compassion and comfort displayed for a cabinmate that was still struggling with homesickness. There is no other experience that builds community quite like camp, and these moments are character building for all.
The foundation of our camp community is kindness, acceptance and love. Here we are known and loved, unique and accepted. Our differences that may separate us in the real world are insignificant in the world of camp. Without the distraction of phones, social media and the pressure to measure up, every camper is free to just be. Through our brief interactions, passing smiles or meaningful conversations, we feel loved, seen and heard.
Each of your children are playing a part in impacting our community, and we are so grateful to have them here. It is their spirit, energy and love that is making camp so amazing for all of us!
Favorite Details of the Day
- Reflect: We started our morning with Mac reminding our campers they can be whoever they want to be. Inside of each of us is the potential to be who we want to be. We just have to have the courage to pursue our dreams.
- Meals: Everyone loves BAGEL DAY! Bagels, sausage, scrambled eggs and a fresh fruit bar was the perfect start to this amazing day. For lunch we had a camp favorite…chicken fingers, french fries and salad bar. For dinner, we all gathered on the field for Bryan’s famous burgers and hot dogs at cookout. Cookout is defintely a camper favorite. From playing frisbee to eating delicious watermelon in crazy creeks on the grass, cookout embodies all the joys of summer!
- Weather: The weather was AMAZING today! Sunny, clear blue skies covered Old Forge today! There was a cool breeze that swept in just around the time we headed to the field for dinner. It was such a lovely day!
- EP: Tonight was one of the all time favorite EPs…Counselor Hunt. Imagine a giant game of hide and go seek. After camouflaging themselves, the activity counselors all find the perfect hiding spot on camp. The cabins all leave the assembly court in search of the staff, who are all worth a different number of points. Some staff are worth more points than others, so the winner is a complete surprise. The cabin that has the most points at the end of the EP is awarded the EP trophy, and tonight it was Cabin 10.
About Melissa Fitzgerald
