After a short hiatus on the blog, it’s nice to be back writing about the day. We’ve mentioned this before, but the chance to sit down and reflect can be a rare occurence around here and writing about the highlights helps me think through the day’s happenings with intention. The last few days have “filled my cup”, and hopefully others’ as well. Friday evening we got to host our good friends, Becca and Coty, the founding members of the band Admiral Radio , for an evening concert in McLeod Lodge. We met this duo in Columbia, SC where Lucas served as the associate pastor of a church. Not only are they super talented and their harmonies will often bring you to tears, they are kind and silly and some of the best people we know. It was a treat to spend some time with them and share our love of Illahee, for their second annual “Concert Night”. I think they are starting to understand how special this place is. The girls were awesome audience members and sang along to some favorite Swift hits like “Sparks Fly” and The Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl”.
We spent Saturday evening with our friends from Falling Creek for the much anticipated Dance. It’s always special to see siblings re-connect with each other after spending time away at camp, and meeting each others cabin-mates and camp friends. The girls (and boys) were definitely extra “giggly” and rambunctious, but it was a fun time had by all! Some of my favorite quotes from the night was camper Carlson coming up to me to ask, “Ok, you’re a girl..if you wanted to talk to a boy, what would you say?” Another camper, Helen, ran up to me in a frenzy and said, “A boy just asked me for my number!” I responded, “Did you give it to him?!” She said, “Nope! I don’t even know my number!” The dance is always an entertaining evening and I leave very thankful we run a girls camp 🙂 who would have thunk a plastic fork could be a hazard?
Now on to today. The morning started out as if we were a bustling terminal, sending groups out in all different directions. Our hiking, climbing, and kayaking crews all embarked on their session overnights. The kayakers headed to the Nantahala river, near the smokies and our hikers are camping at Mt. Pisgah. They will enjoy some of the best views, and hope to wake up early to hike up a peak and watch the sunrise.
I just got back from the farm with Pineview. Tonight they will camp out under tarps, cozy in sleeping bags surrounded by their cabin-mates. We ate burgers, hotdogs, chips, and of course s’mores, around the crackling fire. Each cabin preformed a skit to share with the group. Most were making fun of their counselors and it was pretty hilarious. It sprinkled throughout the performances but cleared up right before we started the movie. As the girls were seated in their crazy creeks someone pointed up to a giant, spectacular rainbow framing the sky. All of the girls got up to catch better views and stare for a while. I loved watching their faces, mouths wide open, looking at their friends for their reactions. One of the best parts about camp being tech-free are these moments when someone’s first inclination may be to snap a pic and post to instagram, but in this instance we were completely present with each other (although I did take a photo) to look at this rainbow. I wonder what the first person who saw a rainbow thought. I imagine God being like, “here ya go, it doesn’t really serve a purpose but it looks pretty and it will make you happy”…what a gift.
Heigh Ho went back to Sliding Rock to slide, and this time they did not get rained out. Hillbrook had open mic night in the Rec Lodge, which I think they could do every night and not get bored. These girls love a microphone and the stage! There were a lot of skits, dances, and original songs. The Sparks hosted the evening and did a great job cheering on the younger girls. They have been hard at work painting decorations for final night on Thursday, and are excited to debut their signs.
It was another happy Monday at camp!
Thanks for reading,
Gardner