Final Full Day of B Session!
Dear Parents and Friends,
We just finished Friendship campfire and everyone is headed back to their cabin. Our day started with rain but by lunch, it was the perfect day for being outdoors and active with camp. Due to the rain, we had to cancel several trips including kayaking, climbing, and biking. Each group made up for it in different ways. The river levels have just been a little too high lately with all the moisture. Hikers and Nature Nuts went up into Pisgah and explored and had a great time. Tonight’s meal was fresh made pizza, salad, grapes and topped off with brownies. Many slices of pizza were devoured and camp’s pizza is as good as any you can find or make. There was plenty for everyone including some specialty pizza like kale and mushrooms, vegi, and some other flavors. Eating here is a highlight of every meal. We spend time together at the table and don’t just eat and run. There’s always time for good conversation and finding out more about each person in our small table groups.
Even though our trips were canceled we held sign-ups this morning and those in Main Camp enjoyed their last sign-up for the session. The afternoon was filled with packing and of course pillowcase day where everyone goes to the pool and takes their pillowcase along. You get it wet and fill it with air – voilà, you have a floatation device. It was the perfect day to be at the pool and everyone enjoyed their last swim.
Friendship campfire included Anne, me and Maggie presenting blankets and plaques to our 4 & 5-year campers as well as recognizing those who have been here for 6,7,8,9 and 10 years. Our 8 and 10-year campers receive a compass for 8 years and a stool for 10 years. Throughout life, we are seeking and finding our way. There are things that draw us in certain directions and as the First Nation people believed, it is our destiny to travel the medicine wheel or the compass. We hope our campers always seek good direction and are able to call upon their internal compasses (their heart) to lead them in good ways.10-yearar campers have been at camp a long time and have reached for many heights with their experiences and adventures in our programs. We should never stop reaching and when we need help there are those close by to usually assist. Sometimes just a step up means a lot, so we provided them with a simple stool to lift them higher as a symbolic gesture. This stool was patterned after one I made in the 7th grade that Anne and I still use. It’s located in our pantry and helps us to reach and attain things we can’t normally gain access to. It’s been a seat and stool for our children and now our grandchildren. Several staff even go beyond the 10 year mark because they started as campers.
Campfire concluded with campers and staff viewing photos that you all have seen these past 12 days. We will make the video available to you tomorrow so don’t forget to watch when you arrive home.
As you arrive tomorrow friendship circles will be in each cabin at 10:30 unless you’re on Mountainside and Riverside and they will conduct their campfire for parents at the same time. Our final campfire for Main Camp will be at 11:00 in the Lodge and you’re welcome to stay and have some delicious GV farm food at 12:00. Thanks for sending us such great children. We’ve had a wonderful session! Travel safely and we are expecting a beautiful sunny day tomorrow. It may be a little on the warm side. Stay tuned!
