What is Camp Really Like?

 

Every camper I asked today told me camp was so much fun, and then launched into a story about their new friends, or something that just happened, or something that made them laugh so hard that the thought made them laugh again and they couldn't tell me.  So you know they must be having lots of fun.

Full disclosure I have to say the day may not have started off so wonderful as our camper woke up to rain.  They got up and did their chores, such as cleaning the cabins, making their bed, sweeping, and getting the cabin ready for inspection.  Then it was time to head to breakfast.  The first meal of the day included sausage and pancakes as well as a selection of cereals and fresh fruit.  They were happy campers filling up for the day ahead.

By 9 am the rain had stopped and out came the sun.  That also meant out came the bathing suits as campers spread across the camp (but in their group) to explore and see what this camp has to offer.   On the schedule for today were some really neat things.  We caught campers doing arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, riding horses, on the archery range, and much more.  Groups are together by age and switch from one activity to the next.

When it was time to switch to lunch you would have thought these campers had never had breakfast.   The pizza for lunch (both pepperoni and cheese) didn't have a chance.  Our campers devoured it and enjoyed the salad bar to go along with it. usually around lunch there is also a little nap time which is awesome because our campers needed a little down time.  Also thanks to a partnership with the reading program in Rockingham county the campers got a chance to pick a book to have and read.  For many of our campers that book and having a little old fashioned entertainment was a highlight.

Our campers went back out to complete their activities.  Some went to archery, the pool, and even on a hike to the beaver pond.  Mid afternoon is a chance to go to the camp store and get a drink, and little snack like chips or ice cream.  while them eat them in the cool of the rec hall they also have a little free time to talk with other campers not in their groups, play four square, or do other fun stuff and have a break from their schedules.

It wasn't long before dinner was upon us.  Tonight was taco night.  You make your own and have the choices of ground beef, tomatoes, cheese and lettuce.  There were flour tortillas hard shells, and even chips in case you were going for more of a nacho type of construction.  They also had corn to add to this special and fun meal.  After there was pudding for dessert.

Traditionally flag lowering comes after everyone eats.  However because of the morning rain the flags never went up the flag pole so our campers were wondering what was going on.  Well this is also the time for camp announcements and the most important announcement of all-the cleanest cabin award.  The winner of this most important of all camp tradition, is awarded the gold faucet.  Second place gets teh silver toilet seat, and third received the bronze tooth brush.  Today third place went to the boys in cabin 7, second to girls in cabin 2, and first place went to the girls in cabin three!   Campers and counselors are already plotting how to win these coveted prizes tomorrow.

After all that fun you might think we would be exhausted.  Alas, the fun was just beginning as it was time for evening activity.  On the schedule for tonight was water sports for half the group and Night Hike and s'mores for the other half.  Tomorrow they will switch.  Water sports includes the slip and slide, water relay games, pool time, and jumping in the lake (not to worry everyone had on a life jacket).  Night hike goes over the swinging bridge to the pioneer cabin where they play games and make that incredible treat of s'mores.   After all of that it was time for a juice break and off to the cabins for showers and to hit the sack because tomorrow morning and new fun will come early.  

If you would like to see all the photos of the day please click on this link.  Also as counties share photos we will add to each day so feel free to come back to this post and click the link to see if we have added some more photos of our fun.

PS....Parents you may notice I write these post late at night because I don't want to miss anything we have done.  I often try during the day to post photos on our different social media accounts.  I can do this because we have internet at two locations at camp.  However late last night our internet went down  for a few hours and there is no cell signal so writing and posting was challenging.  However I am glad to say in the wee hours our internet came back online and we are back in business.  Please note our plan is to post each night so that when you awake there is a post.  If we are running late it probably has more to do with being in a beautiful albeit non technology friendly zone and we ask for patience and grace as we get our post to you as quickly as possible.   We appreciate your understanding.