The day we’ve all been waiting for since last August is finally here!  The sun is out and we are expecting a beautiful day over Blue Lake. Staff orientation week was one of the best we’ve ever had.   Dr. Chris Thurber spent over 13 hours with our staff during pre-camp last Thursday educating and inspiring them to be the best camp counselors they can be.  The administrative staff feels confident that we have provided our staff with the tools they need to be successful as counselors.

We covered it all from homesickness to emergency drills to safety talk lectures. We left no stone unturned. We are ready and just in a holding pattern as we wait for the bell to ring so we can rush to greet our campers coming home from a long winters nap. I know I say it every year but this year my staff is exceptional. I noticed a BIG difference in my staff during pre-camp training. What I witnessed was an increase in camaraderie.  There is a greater closeness between the age groups that I have never seen before.  I have to believe this is largely due to the biggest returning international staff in Agawak history.  They are an inclusive, sweet and fun bunch of counselors.  It’s also due to a very caring and inclusive group of veteran American counselors. The combination is simply wonderful.  It puts a smile on my face. We are off to a stellar start.

The staff was tubing, swimming and relaxing on their day off yesterday which is another sign we have crossed our T’s and dotted our I’s. Camper bags arrived early in the morning on Tuesday and delivered to cabins by noon.  I’ll have to tell you I wish parents would follow the 65 lb. bag rule.  We had several bags come in at 130LBS.  My strongest man here could NOT load into the gator alone. For those of you who did follow the bag rule all of us here truly appreciate your follow through. Next year I guess I will have to come up with PLAN B for bags that are so heavy we can’t even lift them.

The buses took off successfully this morning at 8:46 am from Glenview.   A 2:15 pm arrival is expected!! We have happy, excited and anxious campers headed north.   Excitement, new friends, personal growth and old-fashion fun is in store for everyone.

Bring on the campers.

SMILE ON…FULL SPEED AHEAD!!

Mary