Last night at campfire I asked the campers why they came to camp this summer. I got an overwhelming response from them “TO HAVE FUN!” So I spent a few minutes sharing all the fun things we would be doing at camp over the next two weeks. Everything from activities to evening programs, FUN is a top priority for us at Highlander! This morning during announcements, I reminded everyone of the fun that was in store for them today if they just went out to find it.
So after we raised the flag, said the pledge and enjoyed a musical Monday at assembly, cabin groups raced off to their morning activities in search of the fun that Old Forge Mountain holds. As I traveled around to activities today, I was surrounded by smiling faces having fun as they tried new things and faced their fears. I heard laughter echoing through the art bays under the gym, and the screams of delight from the blob and the zipline, all bringing a huge smile of satisfaction to my face. These are the magical moments of summer camp!
On the surface, fun was all around. But through my lens, there was something much more precious to see…the beauty of friendship. I was overwhelmed today by the way that our cabin groups are getting along and making friends with one another. I am incredibly grateful to our kind, loving and patient counselors who have made it their top proirity to foster frienships and create memories to last a lifetime. Our staff this summer is dedicated to our mission of ONE LOVE and ensuring that every camper feels connected and loved while they are here.
While fun is top priority, it is friendship that gives true meaning to life at camp. Today we discovered that camp friends really are the BEST friends, and the fun has just begun for these kickoff campers!
Favorite Details of the Day
- Reflect: Today we talked about making messes. We all agreed that making a mess is much easier than cleaning it up! But sometimes messing up is the best way to learn and grow in life. We were challenged to own our messes, clean up when we make a mess and forgive others who may mess up our plans. Life is full of messes, but it’s how we respond to them that builds character and helps us grow.
- Meals: Our day began with delicious french toast sticks, scrambled eggs, sausage links and a fresh fruit bar. For lunch we had a camp favorite - turkey and cheese ciabatta sandwiches, french fries and salad bar. For dinner, the kitchen blew us all away with the tastiest chicken fajitas, black beans, homemade guacamole, warm queso and chips. As if that wasn’t enough, the disco ball went off and we all enjoyed delicious cinnamon and sugar churros for dessert!
- Weather: We had amazing weather on camp today. We woke up to chilly temperatures that had us all bundled in sweatshirts at breakfast. But the sun was shining brightly by the time activities began and temperatures rose to a delightful 80 degrees. It was a perfect summer day in the mountains!
- EP: Tonight’s evening program was Cabin Challenge. This is a tradition at Highlander after the first full day of camp. Cabins competed in various challenges around camp against sister or brother cabins in events like rock, paper, scissors, tic-tac-toe relay, pictionary, limbo, musical ice buckets and more. Cabin 9 took home the EP trophy winning the pyramid stacking challenge against Cabin 26 in the finale on the assembly court. What I enjoy the most about this night is the costumes of the cabin groups! I love to see the way the cabins come together in theme and spirit to challenge others! It was a fantastic night for all!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
