We had an awesome day of activities as cabin groups today. After five days together, cabins seem to be in the routine of camp and everything is starting to click. Campers have found comfort with their cabinmates, and today I noticed more joy, more smiles and more fun at camp than we’ve had all session. The newness is starting to wear off, and it feels like everyone is settling into life with their Highlander family.
Tonight was Cookout, and I absolutely love this very simple tradition at camp! I love the community, the casual comfort and the feeling of home this night provides. I love watching a group of campers play frisbee, while another group took turns at tetherball. Groups of girls and boys sat in circles in their crazy creeks talking and laughing without a care in the world. While some girls were making friendship bracelets, other campers were kicking around a soccer ball. There were campers chanting and singing, as they waited in line for their burger, and even a few campers who got lost in a book, in spite of the chaos that surrounded them. This is what it looks like to be home at Highlander, and as a family we couldn’t be happier!
After everyone had their first serving of food, I brought the newest member of the Highlander family down to the field…our new camp dog, Lovey. Puppies have an amazing way of spreading love and lifting spirits, and this sweet girl has captured the heart of every camper and staff member. As Lovey was passed around, kissed and cuddled by your children, I heard stories of their puppies at home, puppies fostered and even heard about campers who volunteered at animal shelters. One camper asked, “whose dog is she?” I responded, “yours, hers, his, mine, ours…she belongs to the Highlander family!” Like a lovey you had as a baby that brought you comfort and calmed you when you were sad, our Lovey will be that comforting friend when you need some unconditional love or a sweet reminder of home. She did just that today…kisses, snuggles and puppy love brought more smiles than I could ask for today.
It’s not a white picket fence with 2.5 children and a dog kind of family. We are the 240 acres, 340 children and a dog kind of family. And like any family, we have our good days and bad, our hard lessons and the simple joys, some not-so-perfect choices and the absolutely beautiful moments. I wouldn’t trade any of them! Thank you for sharing your precious children with us. We are beyond blessed!
Favorite Details of the Day
- Reflect at the Rock: Garrett, counselor from Cabin 23, talked to us about the importance of keeping a positive attitude. No matter what you are doing at camp or in life, remember that a positive attitude changes everything!
- Meals: Breakfast this morning was assorted bagels, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, oatmeal, grits and fruit bar. For lunch we had walking tacos…a camp favorite! We had homemade guacamole with our walking tacos and a fresh salad bar. It’s Thursday, so you know what that means…cookout for dinner! We all gathered on the field for Bryan’s famous hamburgers and hot dogs, along with some potato chips, pasta salad, watermelon and chocolate chip cookies. YUM FUN!
- Weather: We had a beautiful, hot day at camp today! The high today was in the low 90’s again, but the breeze found us on the field at dinner time and the temperatures dropped. We are expecting rain in the next few days, and we are all grateful for the cooler temperatures it will bring. The sun was gorgeous today, but it was hot! The best part was the surprise Popsicle Cart that replaced the Apple Cart today! Campers and staff were SO excited for a cold popsicle on a hot day!
- EP: Tonight’s EP was the Olympics. Cabins split up into countries and competed in different competitions from long jump to thumb wrestling. It was SO MUCH FUN! France took home the GOLD tonight!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
