It was a fantastic Friday at Camp Highlander today filled with activities and fun as a cabin group. After 6 days together, we’ve settled in at camp as a cabin unit, best friends…family. Missing home has subsided for most of our campers, and we are fully immersed into camp life and we love it! The bonds in our cabin units are the heart of the camp experience, reminding us that we can always count on each other.
“You can count on me like 1-2-3 and I’ll be there…,” words that perfectly capture the essence of true companionship. Tonight at our Session A Talent Show, I had chills as a precious brother and sister ukulele and vocal duet performed Bruno Mars’ Count on Me. The gym was completely silent when their performance started, everyone waiting for the words that we were all feeling about our time at Highlander. Just before the chorus started, the crowd raised their hands and started swaying back and forth to the music. Then as the chorus began, the entire gym sang along…”you can count on me like 1-2-3 and I’ll be there.” Tears filled my eyes as I watched everyone’s arms fall around the friends sitting next to them, heads resting on shoulders and each one of us feeling as if the words were meant just for us, for our friendships and experience at Camp Highlander. Just like the song, friends at camp are always ready to lend a hand, share a laugh, or provide a shoulder to lean on. This unwavering support and the joy of knowing someone will always be there for you is a unique gift of camp, something we will all cherish for many years to come.
Favorite Details of the Day
- Reflect at the Rock: This morning Jessie, our Waterfront Division Head, talked to us about making the most of every moment we have at camp. Oftentimes, we go through the motions of life and miss the beautiful opportunities that are right in front of us. Jessie challenged us to slow down and take notice of the people who surround us, the place that we are lucky enough to be and the moments that could easily pass us by if we don’t take time to appreciate them.
- Weather: Another BEAUTIFUL day in Western North Carolina! High of 86 and low of 59. It was hot but we are incredibly grateful for the sunshine!
- Meals: For breakfast we had cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, bacon, oatmeal, grits and a fruit and yogurt bar. For lunch we had grilled chicken sandwiches, sweet potato fries, a sandwich bar and a salad bar with fruit. Dinner was everyone’s favorite…Papa John’s Pizza! As simple as pizza night may seem, it is a HUGE crowd pleaser! These kids can eat some pizza, and everyone left the dining hall with full bellies and happy hearts! During announcements, the staff started the Gus’ chant and we did have Gus’ again tonight after our Camper’s Choice sign ups!
- EP: Tonight’s evening program was Talent Show and it was incredible!We had vocal performers, comedians, basketball tricks, rubix cube exhibitions, red belt Tae-Kwon-Do demonstrations, dances, gymnastics, musical performances and more. Your children are so very talented and so very brave. I am so proud of each and every one of our performers tonight!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
