Tonight was our famous Blue and White lip sync performance in Happy Camper Hall. Twenty separate lip syncs were showcased and excitement filled the air. The teamwork and creativity that goes into this evening truly deserves a standing ovation. Both teams had us on the edge of our seats including the Blue Team staff. There’s something special about watching our younger campers jump into the arms of their CIT’s. That never gets old. Our CIT’s worked hard to make this event a success and many hours were devoted.
With all the things our campers are learning and experiencing daily here it’s no wonder the majority go home thoroughly exhausted and camp sick. Don’t be overly surprised when your camper arrives back home after first session tired and somewhat “camp sick” for the friendships and activities left behind. It’s just hard to beat the friendships made and energy of camp life.
Typically campers who experienced normal homesickness while at camp will find themselves experiencing sadness and tears as they leave camp. It’s a rather confusing phenomenon. They realize something powerful and meaningful has happened to them. They’re often not sure why they have mixed emotions about leaving camp when at the beginning they wanted to just go home. For some it’s hard to articulate their feelings to family members and friends who have not been here.
If you’ve ever attended overnight camp you know camp is not always a bed of roses. Daily campers are faced with challenges that help them grow emotionally and mentally. Yes our first session was beyond fun but don’t dismiss the more difficult moments that your camper may have encountered. That’s when your camper was most likely learning and growing the most.
Please allow your camper time to adjust back to “city life” and try not to probe and ask the question “Do you want to go back to camp next summer?” Let your camper digest their experience and process it before you start making plans for the summer of 2018. Giving them personal time to reflect on their camp experience before asking this question is important. Just listen to their camp stories and ask them what they discovered about themselves and others. Do more listening than talking.
We will be very sad to see some of our camp sisters leave us. It’s hard to believe first session is nearing the end. I’m proud of all our firste campers. They did an exceptionally great job. They were a spirited and kind group of girls.
Tomorrow morning will be our last day of full activities for the session. We will have our last campfire for 1st session and the busses will pull out around 8:45 am on Friday. If your camper is taking the bus to Chicago look for the buses to arrive around 2:30 pm. All the bus information is on our website as well as in your prep packet.
If you will be joining us for visiting day (this Saturday) our gates will open at 9am and your camper will be able to escort you all around camp. Hopefully she’ll show you what she’s learned in skiing this summer or she’ll transcend the Tango Tower for you as you watch in awe. You will be allowed to take your daughter with you for the evening and then campers are to be back at camp by 11am Sunday morning to get ready for our second session campers who will arrive on Sunday around 2:30pm.
We have much to do in the next 23 hours! We will miss our first session camp sisters yet we are happy that there is still a lot of camping left to do! Thank goodness the summer is still young!
Smile on
Mary
