Each off season, we sit down as a year round team and ask ourselves, “What can we do to make this summer better than last? What does EVERY camper hope to experience at camp and HOW do we make it happen?” This question is always on our minds as we intentionally plan each session in hopes of creating moments of joy and elements of surprise that resonate with campers of all ages. Meeting these often unspoken expectations is not easy, but at Camp Highlander, we are dedicated to making each summer the BEST summer yet!
There are two things we need to accomplish this goal…great staff and great campers! This session we have both! The energy of the campers and staff for Session A 2024 is unreal! Everyone is so excited about EVERYTHING at camp…from announcing tomorrow’s laundry day at breakfast to the Gus’ chant (Gus’ is the candy and soda shack on camp) for dessert. These campers are ALL IN for everything we are doing at camp, and THEY are making this the BEST summer ever!
Square dance is probably my favorite EP, or for sure in the top three! Tonight when I walked down to the field, I got the biggest smile on my face as hundreds of arms flapped like a chicken for the chicken dance. Typically at square dance there is a big group of kids who refuse to dance, but tonight…EVERYONE was dancing, laughing and singing along. They were swinging their partners so fast that some were falling to the ground in laughter and pure joy! I couldn’t stop smiling because on days like today I am reminded that I have the BEST job on earth!
Favorite Details of the Day
- Reflect at the Rock: Mac talked to us about a bundle of sticks being like a cabin unit. One stick is easily broken, stepped on or cracked. However ten sticks bundled close together are stronger and more difficult to break. The cabin unit is like the sticks…the closer the campers stay together, the stronger their group becomes.
- Weather: The weather was gorgeous today. The morning was a bit overcast, but the sun came out strong around 11:00 and was shining brightly all day. It was cooler than yesterday…high of 81 and low of 66.
- Meals: For breakfast we had biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sauasage patties, oatmeal, grits, cereal and a fruit bar. For lunch we had CHIF-Fil-A sandwiches and waffle fries, a salad bar,cold sandwich bar and whole fruit. For dinner, Michael made flank steak on the charcoal grill that was fantastic! He served it with french green beans, roasted rosemary potatoes and homemade rolls. We had the salad bar and sandwich bar with whole fruit too!
- EP: Tonight we had our first square dance of the session, and it was so much fun! With the beautiful weather today, we were able to host the dance oustide on the field which is everyone’s favorite! We do-si-doed our partners, did the chicken dance, swung our corner lady and finished the night with our tradition of Footloose!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
