Kicking It Off Right

  All I can say is WOW!  It has been a fun and full day for our 4-H campers.  We started early this morning at the Robeson County Extension office and our campers gave hugs and waved goodbye as they loaded the bus and we ventured to Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Education Center (BJP) in Reidsville, NC.  We made a brief stop in Richmond County and picked up a few more campers then headed straight to lunch in Asheboro.  We stopped at a crowd favorite, Golden Corral, where we knew even the pickiest of eaters would be able to find something to sooth a hungry stomach.  After several compliments on how well behaved our campers were, it was time to load the bus and head to BJP.  It only took about another hour and half before we arrived at our final destination.
  The excitement of what was about to come could be felt in the air as our campers grabbed their personal belongings and headed toward the meeting zone under the flags.  As campers converged at the flag pole you could tell they were excited but apprehensive.  What cabin will I be in, will I know anyone in my group?  As they got checked in they were assigned to groups by age.  Head, Heart, Hands, Earth, Sun, Adventurer, Trekker is how they are split up for the week.  Although there were some wanting to switch before we began, I would say all of them were happy with their groups by 7:00 pm.  After unpacking in the cabins the campers had the chance to take a camp tour, meet each other and head to the ball field for an enormous cookout.  Needless to say any and all of them can bond over food.  On the menu tonight; hot dogs, chips, baked beans, watermelon, and chocolate chip cookies.  The youth devoured their meal and played games in the ball field until it was time to head to introductions.
  We all moved to the rec hall and the counselors had a chance to introduce themselves.  then it was time for a little more informal introduction among our campers as they danced.  The first dance was one they made up as part of a Get Fit campaign.  The rest was time to dance and mingle, making new friends and reuniting with old ones.
  While our campers where in the rec hall our adventurers hit the wall.  Literally.  They donned helmets, harnesses, and apprehension as they tackled the rock wall.  They started working together as a team cheering each other up the wall and helping with the safety lines.
  When they were done everyone headed to the campfire.  Youth got a chance to hear stories, sing songs, and be a part of skits.  It was a fun filled night for campers and staff alike.  After getting their fill of a real campfire, smoke, flame and all they hit the showers to start getting ready for tomorrow.  Some of our campers even got a special goodnight grandma hug from our camp director's grandma who is visiting (I think she has had just as good a time as our campers tonight).  Monday will be a fun filled day for everyone, so its time for us to get some sleep...more tomorrow.