A Chamber of Commerce Day!

A Chamber of Commerce Day!

Monday, June 16, 2008

This is an excerpt from Director Gordon Strayhorn's nightly post for camper parents and friends. It includes hundreds of photographs taken of campers in camp activities that day.

I wonder what it is about getting older that makes "the weight" seem heavier and heavier on some shoulders. True, there are serious issues facing our global community, but I am struck this evening with a sense of true joy after being with our youngest campers at Sliding Rock and Dollys tonight. These girls were FULL of glee, and I mean at 100's of decibels! From the moment I took my place behind the wheel at the front of the bus, the singing and giggles started. Even the staff were singing, slightly off key, at the top of their lungs. For a moment in time, every care in the world was released, and a medley of camp songs and laughter filled the air.

I actually think it is longer than a moment, and that this is the true value of camp. It is separation from the things that are becoming the modern day "teddy bear" for our kids...Ipods and television, cell phones and texting. Some of you probably recognize this soap box, and I will preface it with a disclaimer. I am an expert with YOUR kids, but face the same struggles with my own.

I do think, however, that camp "happens" when we leave this stuff behind, and are left with a community that is all about each other. Conversations arise without the assistance of earphones and amplification. BFF's don't have to be translated...they are in the bunk right next to you. The older role models you really look up to are there all the time, and ready anytime to focus on you. It's a pretty cool place to be.

Tomorrow, I am OUT of Here! I can't wait. Not that I don't like camp. On the contrary. Tomorrow, I start Cabin Adventures with rising 7th graders. Although it can vary, my favorite trip is heading up to "high" Pisgah, and the black balsams. We will hike up where the tree line stops, and the high meadows start. The bluets, my very favorite wildflower will be in full bloom tomorrow. I'll spout on about FDR's new deal and the Civilian Conservation Corps, who built much of the Parkway that we will travel. Some will listen and will be the lucky recipient of a few extra Oreos when I ask for girls to repeat some of the info after lunch. We'll swim and probably stop at Dollys for more ice cream. I can't wait!

The pictures have loaded, and we have Bible Study in the morning at 6:45am with our counselors. I need to set up the coffee maker. And the pictures are through loading. What a treat to have your daughters with us this session. I'm here to tell you...our future is bright! Sleep well. Gordon.

And, they're off!

And, they're off!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

They're here! We have had a whirlwind of a weekend, and Summer 2008 is officially Off and Running!It is going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER!Thursday, Robert and Gordon recertified as Level II Challenge Course Facilitators. Friday midday brought Heads of Hills and Activity Heads, and we began our Leadership Summit. Meanwhile, a Lifeguard Training class was going on at the lake and at the nearby Brevard Racquet Club. Erin completed a three-day Ropes Course Training course and Gina completed a Water Safety Instructor course.Saturday brought Driver Training and more specialized training for the adventure staff. Sunday, there was a little break for some of our folks to join Laurie at church, and then Ropes Course training consumed the rest of the day.Monday, our climbers and paddlers attended training as well as Trips Trainers and the riding staff. Who knew it takes so much training to run the BEST CAMP AROUND?

Our full counselling staff arrived by dinner Monday night, and after a delicious dinner (what would Illahee be without awesome food?), we all joined for the first general orientation session of what will be a week of training and getting ready for next Sunday, opening day 2008!Stay tuned for more pictures of the week, and then be sure to check in each day for Gordon's daily updates!

Countdown to Camptime!

Countdown to Camptime!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Yesterday felt like camp had begun. There is always a "busy-ness" that comes round this time of year, and May illustrates this more than any other in a camp director's life. Brevard College has finished exams, and several of our very cute new counselors were bubbling with excitement as they stopped by just to say hello. Carol toured them around, a second tour to help get them acclimated to camp. As most counselors, they want to know the ropes so when their campers arrive, they can focus on their girls.

One of the things I love about our lives in the camp world is the opportunity to work with some of the best and the brightest. More than that, though, the optimism that comes with young adulthood trickles through to us in daily doses. I like to think that this keeps us young, though the mirror says otherwise. The world is their oyster, and energy and enthusiasm abounds. I can't wait for camp.

The physical part of camp is looking great! Brian, James and Ryan have spearheaded efforts to clean up, and it is showing off. Despite Mother Nature's big blow over the weekend and resulting limb and branch scatter, we are on track to have things ready to go well in advance of the first staff member's arrival for orientation.

We are: cutting grass, blowing driveways, pruning trees, planting flowers, finishing floors, installing doors, fixing screens, warping looms, painting showers and bulkheads, ordering food, using lots of bleach and Lysol, washing street signs, spreading white gravel, turning water on, changing smoke detector batteries, ordering helium for balloons, inspecting fire extinguishers, designing bulletin boards, delivering firewood, delivering activity supplies, and pwhew! I need to get outside and start helping again.

We can't wait to welcome you to the Heavenly World! We are going to have the BEST SUMMER EVER!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I think Mother Nature is still confused. We woke up this morning to low thirty-degree weather here in the mountains, despite the fact that the dogwood are in full bloom, the grass is green, and spring is here in full force. Could you imagine being here in your cabin when it gets that cold? Brrr!

I just returned from the barn for a quick shower to get the hay off me after helping the guys unload a full 52 foot tractor trailer truck from Michigan that was full of hay! I think there were over 700 bales of alfalfa and timothy mix so that our horses can eat as well as we are at camp. Yummy! As soon as we got the big rig out of here, David Cantrell brought his mini-excavator over and is down by the canoe lake, cutting a foot path around it so that we can walk around the lake a little easier for fishing and walking. There's another reason though...a little teaser: It has something to do with some changes to the last couple of days of camp. I'm not telling though. You'll just have to wait!

It is absolutely gorgeous in the Heavenly. The guys are busy blowing off cabin roofs, cutting grass, bush-hogging the pastures, and getting camp all spiffy. Kris and Carol are hunkered down in the office scheduling activities for all of those who have sent their online sign-ups in. That can only mean one thing! Camp is right around the corner! We can't wait. It's going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER!

Spring Break and Camp Comes Alive!

Spring Break and Camp Comes Alive!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

I love Spring! Mother Nature is trying to make her decision here in the Heavenly World. We are alternating between beautiful warm days, and cloudy, cold ones. The trees have tiny buds on them, and the grass in the pastures is greening. It's a sure sign that camp is coming when James dusts off the John Deere mower and starts to ride in those baseball-field perfect parallel lines up and down camp.

We also know spring has sprung as camp becomes a flurry of interviews and tours for prospective staff members. There are two today, and several yesterday. We have a great group of counselors (and campers) to make 2008 the BEST Summer EVER! We also were treated to a visit by 1959 thru 80s-era riflery instructor Dolly Thomas and alumnae friends Tippy Carmody and Lynn Simmons.Dolly and Skip Thomas were fixtures at Illahee for a number of decades.

Our family is back in the routine after an amazing (maybe the BEST ever) vacation to Costa Rica. Laurie is the gypsy in the family, and spends daydream time on travel websites. We got some help this time from a travel agent, and were able to see and do so much in our 12 days in central America. I think the best thing about vacation is that our family actually is able to enjoy each other free from the distractions of carpools, studying, sports schedules, and weekends with friends. Sound familiar? No cell phones, computers and T.V.s (except for the Davidson/Kansas game) added to the togetherness. Unplugged and loving life!

Now that we are back, our attention is focused fully on the Summer of 2008, less than six weeks away! We can't wait! Activity sign-ups are coming in, and we can tell by the phone calls and emails that campers are excited too! Yippee!

The Daffodils Are Here!

The Daffodils Are Here!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The daffodils are here! And with them, comes the excitement and anticipation of another amazing summer at Illahee! It is wet and cold today, but there are signs of spring everywhere. The Canada Goose pair who return every year, are carefully guarding their nest. This is always great fun for (Fig) Newton, our full-figured Labrador, who thinks it is his job to cause as much stress for the couple as he can conjure up. There is a consistent flow of prospective staff visitors, coming to camp to interview, hopeful that they will be a part of the Best Summer Ever too.

In addition to prospects coming to camp, we also travel to lots of colleges and universities to meet friends of current and former Illahee counselors. Gretchen and Kris recently went to Furman and enjoyed seeing Roland Mitchener, McKenzie Butler, Katherine Dyer, Kathleen Stark and Megan Mullinax. They are as excited about the summer as the hundreds of campers who have gone online to register for activities, order Ship Store items, and complete summer forms. Our newest activity, Campcraft seems to be a popular choice! Laurie and Gordon enjoyed last Saturday in the Hickory, NC area interviewing horses for camp! As many of you know, Illahee's equestrian program is unmatched by most summer programs, and when we have an opening in our "herd," we want to make sure he (or she) is the BEST! New staffer, Anna Miller, rides competitively, and raises goats with her parents. We had a blast watching her ride, chasing goats, and visiting with her and her parents on a beautiful Saturday in Hickory.

Brian, James, Ryan, and Bill have been busy (with an occasional hand from Gordon) sprucing up camp. It is going to look great (as usual) when things start to bloom. We can't wait.

We recently heard from Toya West, who has been teaching in Ecuador, and who had a surprise visit from Graham Manning (there on a mission trip). They enjoyed a great visit, including time in Toya's classroom. Toya writes that she will be pursuing a job in the fall with Carpe Diem Education, taking college students on semester service projects in Central America. Graham is currently pursuing an internship with Vanderbilt's highly-ranked baseball team!Spring Break is here for many of you. Gordon and Laurie are taking our family to Costa Rica for an epic adventure that hits all points. We are looking forward to staying in eco-lodges, zip-lining, surfing, spending time in the mountains and on the beach....doing lots of hiking. It should be fun. We hope whatever adventure comes your way this spring, it brings lots of great time with family and friends. We can't wait to greet you on opening day in front of the dining hall for the start of the summer of a lifetime!