I witness perhaps one of the most hilarious scenes today when two of my counselors were coerced into a fake wedding by their group. Obviously focused on the ‘happily ever after’ the Cascades couldn’t accept that their Counselors were also about to go their separate ways and decided to unite them forever.

The result was hysterical. Instead of confetti, splenda packets (now known to contain 4 calories each) were thrown and instead of a bible a Calorie King was used to read the sermon. The bride even wore white and was driven away from the ceremony on the camp tricycle.

Thankfully the rest of the day was a little less surreal! In our final ‘real’ day of camp (without parents, special outings and timed miles) everybody had their last group session, the 8 week Smokies and Sierras had their lunch challenge (most stayed spot on with great choices at Port a Sub and pumkin muffins were made in culinary.

Some of the reunions when parents started to arrive were really moving and I know that those who haven’t seen their child in four, six or even eight weeks noticed a remarkable change in them and it was a beautiful sight to see families united again.

The start of the workshop went well, with lots of informed discussions and a very engaged energy. We finished off the evening with our final Levels Ceremony. We saw even more campers enter the realm of the Bald Eagle and the speeches were again excellent and one or two truly moving. It was wonderful to share that with our parents and also hear the campers thank their parents for sending them to camp.

I am looking forward to seeing many happy faces at the timed mile tomorrow morning (no that wasn’t a typo – I know some previous times are going to be blown away!) and also celebrating the Dolphins with their special outing and spending more time with our parents. But perhaps most importantly, enjoying and celebrating all our campers; as my time with them is rapidly drawing to a close.

Jude.

Labels: levels ceremony, parent workshop, pumpkin muffins

That was the message from tonight’s levels ceremony. With only one week left of the summer we encouraged all our campers to “make it the best week of the summer so far” and to give everything they have.

Unfortunately our final week didn’t start off well this morning when a driver ran a red light and hit one of our vans carrying four Cascades on a grocery visit. Thankfully everybody walked away unscathed and we have left the Law to deal with the driver. (If I have not spoken with you today then you can be assured that your camper was not in the van!)

Thankfully after that inauspicious start things got much better. Any camper who wanted to got an opportunity to go horse riding this morning and for many it was their first experience of riding. Otherwise it was a busy day in the culinary room, the Smokies and Sierras had crossfit and the Appalachians had swimming and Group amongst many other activities.

Tonight was our week 7 levels ceremony and I am delighted to inform you that many of our current four week campers have made it to Dolphin level and that we also have more Eagles in our nest. The speeches were again excellent and very heartfelt and those campers are examples not to just the rest of camp but us all. Camp is extremely challenging but they have worked through all the ups and downs and become stronger and healthier as a result. I am confident that even more campers will get there next week.

So as we go into our final week it will be one of both excitement and trepidation but fingers crossed it will be the best yet.

Jude.

Labels: eagles, final week, levels ceremony