Yesterday, co-counselors were announced and everyone moved into their official cabins for the remainder of the summer. The staff also ventured out to Lakeland Union High School for team building on the famous Tango Tower. They completed a ropes course, swung on the “Tarzan” swing, climbed Jacob’s ladder and zipped down the zip-line. It was great to witness the team building occurring as they supported one another.
 

Monday afternoon we conducted a lifeguard training session with safety instructor, Doug Bailey. He went over numerous scenarios to help prepare the lifeguards for quick and safe water rescues.  They practiced back boarding one another. These dedicated staff members were in the water for over an hour and a half listening attentively and braving overcast skies. They learned a lot and revisited things they already knew.
 

Last night we had the finest precamp dinner I can recall in 24 summers. Our kind and wonderful kitchen staff prepared an authentic Mexican feast for the entire staff.  Many of our kitchen staff traveled all the way from Mexico this summer. They are a lovely bunch of girls and prepared their favorite dishes for all of us. There was an assembly line of girls making Tamales (steamed corn husks were open; cornmeal filling was added as well as a delicious chicken and herb center).  The guacamole was out of this world delicious. Well done! Ducky and Tim…..I think you have serious competition.
 

Although we are ahead of schedule, I know from experience, things can change quickly.  The plan will always go off course because that’s life. Our main water heater, which heats the lodge and the camp dishwasher, is down for the count. We are working on getting it replaced so the kitchen staff wouldn’t get dish pan hands. It was supposed to arrive today but…..the company in Michigan where it is coming from lost power due to intense storms in Michigan. If all goes as planned it will arrive Wednesday early morning by truck before the campers arrive.  If that wasn’t enough stress for one day our fax machine decided to stop functioning. We have had it serviced with no luck. My hope is that someone will come out to get it up and ready soon.
Last night we had our first campfire of the season with s’mores. New counselors are learning the traditional Agawak songs and our veterans are helping teach them their favorites. The only thing better than a staff campfire would be a campfire with all of you here…. which will be happening so soon!
 

The lodge was set up for everyone’s arrival tomorrow. Counselors are busy creating job charts, sweeping, dusting and sprucing up their cabins. We are beyond excited!! Parents…….please remember to say your goodbyes quickly tomorrow morning and stay off the buses. All pets should remain at home as they add to the stress and chaos of boarding.  Pack a healthy lunch with a beverage and remember we have several campers with nuts allergies so pack a turkey sandwich instead of a peanut butter and jelly. The first three rows of each bus will be reserved for campers who have nut allergies.
 

Boarding will take place at 8am from Deerfield High School. We plan to depart at 8:30am so you must call the camp office 715-356-5383 if you are stuck in traffic.  Emily Gurner will be in charge of boarding the buses and we will have one of our wonderful nurses, Dani Curtis, available on site as well. Dani will be in charge of collecting medications so please make sure you hand over all campers medications to her. We will have a cooler also available if any medication needs to be refrigerated.
 

All of the bags arrived this morning and the camp boys finished delivering them to the appropriate cabins. Over 36,000 pounds of bags were lifted!  Parents and campers these bags are way too heavy. Most of them take 2 people to lift. If you can’t lift your own bag how are we suppose to lift it? The record bag of 118 lbs goes to Sabrina L. followed by the Coplan sisters. Their bags weighed in at 104 lbs and 105lbs. Olivia G. was a few pounds behind with 101lbs. I truly hope we don’t reach a point where we have to weigh every single bag. In the precamp packet we request that bags weigh in at 65 -75 pounds. I won’t tell you which camp boy it was but….we have one boy who now has to head to the doctor for a possible hernia. The package rule wasn’t followed in years past and it looks like we’re headed in the same direction with bags.
 

To end on a light note before camp begins tomorrow, the sun is shining and camp looks beautiful right now.  Activity areas are ready, the lake is warming up and excitement is in the air. Campers don’t forget to pack your smiles. Parent’s take a deep breathe and remember we are here to make sure your daughter has a rewarding experience. We are ready to go full speed ahead!
 

Smile on,
Mary and staff