The smell of hot chocolate lingered in the air early Tuesday morning. Fluorescent orange swim caps filled Blue Lake for our first session Lake Swim. This long-standing tradition demands grit, determination and stamina. Seventy three lake swimmers took off as lifeguards in canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats and Mastercraft's created a tunnel for campers to swim across the lake. The self gratification that comes with completing the lake swim and Ducky’s yummy hot chocolate is enough for campers to rise and shine at 7 am! I’m always proud of the girls who finish first as it’s a big accomplishment, yet I’m equally proud of every single individual who is able to complete the 3/4 of a mile swim. We had two determined junior campers (Annie & Sadie) bringing up the rear who never gave up. It was impressive as we all watched them inch their way into the swim area and step on shore. Hats off to all our Blue Lake swimmers. 

As we get ready to say goodbye to our first session campers I have to reflect on a session gone by too quickly. I’m confident your camper coming home will be filling your conversations with silly camp stories, crazy songs, fun-filled camp activities, as well as friendships made and obstacles they overcame. I’m proud of our supportive and present counselors and administrative team who were there for our kiddos to guide them and nurture them during the ups and downs we experienced this session. The unthinkable that occurred in Highland Park undoubtedly put us on high alert for anyone needing extra support including counselors.

Our camp community is doing incredibly well and every day we continue to scour through our daily cabin reports for anyone who may need extra support. Nationally and globally recognized psychiatrist and disaster relief specialist, Dr. Jeff Taxman, spent a weekend here helping those needing to talk. We will continue to stay alert as a few of our second session campers head our way. Our annual Kindness Day brought yet another opportunity for our camp community to come together and show one another the power of goodness and kindness in the world. 

The bout of COVID that came into camp came quickly and leveled off quickly. We currently have three cases, all of which very mildly resemble a common cold. Some camps have had to send campers home perhaps due to limited isolation space. With so many being asymptomatic plus our decision not to “pod up”, nor wear masks on the bus, and without last summer‘s more stringent testing procedures, I’m confident we will see cases again in our second session. Remember testing negative on the incoming PCR test does not mean your camper won’t bring COVID into camp as we saw first session. The possible exposure 10 days leading up to your camper's PCR test PLUS the activities and exposure two days after PCR testing is crucial as we witnessed in our first session arrival.  Please send us a healthy camper. 

Tonight is an all-time favorite showstopper…Blue and White Lip Syncs. This on-going tradition is choreographed and lead by our CITs, Agawak’s oldest campers. The excitement and cheers will be heard throughout the woods and across Blue Lake. Every group wishes for an encore performance. Even the Fikey-Ikus and Uh-Ungowa staff will have some killer moves up their sleeves for tonight’s performance in Happy Camper Hall. 

The growth, happiness and new friendships that have blossomed over the past three and a half weeks keeps me going even on the toughest of days. Please remember to keep your visiting day Zooms positive, upbeat and remind your kiddo to enjoy the time they have here because it’s fleeting. One summer they are first year campers and before too long they are gathered on stage singing their CIT farewell song with tears streaming down their cheeks. In a blink of an eye it’s over every summer. We are truly happy here in our favorite place and will continue to love, laugh, cry and support one another every day.  

Smile on and full speed ahead,

Mary