The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind. Daily I have to remind myself what day it is.  Maybe I’m biased, but I think I have the happiest camp in the world despite having two confirmed cases of the whooping cough. Most of the results have been coming back negative but we did get another confirmed case yesterday.   This is not what I want to be dealing with during the last few precious days of camp but it’s interesting how negative things sometimes have a way of bringing out the best in others and bringing people closer together. One of the things I love about camp is how everyone pulls together for the good of others when it’s most needed.  We were able to get the entire camp (that weren’t already placed on Z-Paks) on their first doze of Azithromycin.  By the time Tuesday rolls around everyone (except 10 campers who can’t swallow pills and now need a liquid form) should be finished taking their prescription.  We'll squeak through just in time for the buses to arrive Wednesday morning. 

At this point we will no longer be taking campers into the clinic to be tested for the whooping cough since they are all on Z-Paks which will skew the results.   It was my goal to send your daughter home as healthy and happy as possible giving our current situation and I hope you know I did my very best. Please call your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions once your daughter returns home. It is my understanding that the cough may persist for up to two months but is no longer contagious. Also, realize that if your daughter returns home with a cough this does not necessarily mean she has the whooping cough. I have campers with coughs, who were tested for the whooping cough, whose results came back negative. Also, it is possible our first session campers may have been exposed. If your daughter has a cough, runny nose and congestion please air on the side of caution and have her cough checked out.  

On a more upbeat note…Yesterday our day consisted of wrapping up Final Four. We held our annual Gonzo race, and although MIT started off in the lead, Xavier finished in first, with CIT captain Sloane swimming in from the dock to ring the bell and win the game. Auburn finished just seconds after Xavier – Auburn CIT Emily and Xavier PA Meredith were neck in neck while running from the riflery range to the waterfront – and Villanova came in third with MIT finishing in fourth. After everyone rehydrated and refueled, we went up to the upper athletic field to perform and watch closing ceremonies. Auburn opened the show with an amazing cheer, and then we saw funny skits from the rest of the teams. At flagpole, counselor Rachel Schlecter -- who has done a terrific job organizing and implementing all of the Final Four games – announced the scores. Fourth place: Villanova. Third place: MIT. Second place: Auburn. First place: Xavier. Once the scores were announced, we heard characteristic screams and cheers, but Xavier soon settled down because even the victors knew that in order to get some of Ducky’s famous pizza, they would have to form straight, quiet lines and be dismissed to the cookout.
 

This morning, Camper of the day Erin Lothan and Counselor of the day Lauren Chilow stood around the flagpole as we shouted out a cheer to them. Ducky served up eggs, bacon and bagels which went over well due to the fact we slept in late this morning and were especially hungry.  I told everyone last night we would sleep until 9:30 am this morning if all the cabin lights were out by 10pm last night otherwise we were getting up at 8:00am. Let me tell you camp was quiet and dark by 10:15pm last night.   After our delicious breakfast we sent everyone out for a big paper pick up to help keep our camp as beautiful as it is, followed by a great cabin clean up.  Our inspectors were very impressed with how well the girls cleaned their cabins- great job campers!  This afternoon the campers had one of their last final Blue and White Closing practices and they are singing really loud right now.  The bell is ringing early tonight because tonight is…TREASURE HUNT!  The campers don’t know yet so there should be plenty of cheering once we get them into the lodge and spill the beans.  It has been a fun summer with Blue and White and our commissioners, Jen and Jamie are so excited and a little nervous for tonight.  They have been working hard to get all the clues together and this year the “Hunt” is going to be great! 
 

The girls are gathering around the flagpole right now and wondering why they are there an hour early. Time to get them all in the lodge to have some of Ducky’s BBQ Chicken for dinner and prepare for THE HUNT!
 

Enjoy your evening, ours should be a lot of fun here on Blue Lake!
Mary and the staff