Today has been great; a fantastic last full day at camp. Not only did we have many campers smash their timed miles (one guy by 33 minutes!) but we have also had the most wonderful group of parents in camp.

Not only did they all get up bright and early for morning walk, they also participated in the mile run, sat through lots of lectures all day and then even hung around for a super, if very sweaty, game of speedball in the evening.

It has just been magical to see how engaged all our parents are and how willing they are to make this change for the whole family. Having them here for the workshop makes me feel happier that the campers are returning to supportive homes, that whilst they have only been with us for a few days, at least they understand a little of the changes that the campers have already made to their lives.

The willingness of many parents to completely change their own habits and be 100% supportive of their camper is wonderful and I look forward to spending more time in the workshops with them tomorrow morning.

We said goodbye to a few faces today and there was much crying. Campers never believe me when I tell them they’ll cry when they arrive and cry even more when the leave but the tears that flowed today made them think perhaps I wasn’t so wrong. We’ll have the Kleenex ready for the flood tomorrow.

Otherwise the Dolphins had their special outing and others mixed exercise and group activities with packing up and sorting out their belongings. I am excited for all the missing iPods that will be found in the final clean up tomorrow!

Jude.

Labels: lifestyle change, parent workshop, speedball

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

What a wonderful day here in Reedley. Not only have we had a fabulous group of parents come and spend the day with us but the students and campers absolutely blew me away at the talent contest tonight.

Given the job of impersonating Simon Cowell was the hardest job I’ve had all year. How can you be mean about such amazing and incredible performances? I knew that many groups of students and campers had been practicing hard all week but the sheer brilliance of many of the performances – some of which were original pieces - was just incredible.

Despite the 105F+ heat during the day the parents we’ve had at the workshop have been fantastic. They’ve asked all the right questions, given us great feedback and been such a good humored and lively group that it really has been a pleasure to spend the day with them.

Over the summer the staff really does form a special bond with our campers and it is important to us that we feel they are returning to homes where not only will all their hard work be valued, but that they’ll also be supported and enable to continue their healthy journey. I have no doubts that the parents who have been with us for the past two days will do just that and look forward to continuing to be in contact with them in the future.

Jude.

Labels: parent workshop, talent show, wellspring idol