Today’s wakeup routine was slightly different than my norm. Last night Pineview campers spent the night at Hannah Ford Farm, camp’s 125 acre farm property 4 miles away. Each session we take Heigh Ho and Pineview out to cookout, play games, and enjoy a movie and sleep under the stars. It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and last night I was truly in my “feels” watching campers and counselors laugh, be silly, and soak up all the farm magic. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the heavens were showing off with a cotton candy sky sunset. As the fire was crackling, the stars were out and we even spotted a shooting star. Counselor Ann Ellis looked up and sighed, “We don’t see this in Atlanta…”
Our morning wake up was just as beautiful as the fog rose and we were met with a blue bird sky. The girls were a little more groggy-eyed than usual, but Head of Hill Alston lifted spirits with the Beatles singing “Good Day Sunshine” blaring from the speaker. I pretended not to hear the groans 🙂 The overnight reviews were all A’s but I think they will be happy to sleep in their cozy bunks tonight. Like so much else in camp (and life), 90% of the Farm’s success is due to how you sell it. If the counselors are jazzed and excited about sleeping outside, then everyone else will be! I was very appreciative of their positive attitudes, even though I know they are probably a little sleepier today.
There were a lot of opportunities for trips out of camp today. A van load of girls headed into Panthertown for a llama hike with our local Llama guy, Mark (only at summer camp does one have a llama guy). The girls had a blast and “the llamas didn’t even spit!” Lee also led two ducky trips on the French Broad. We had four cabins take on the ropes course and zipline today- 38,10,4 and 7. Everyone zipped and I tried to snap photos of all the smiles, but may have missed some who decided to try it backwards!
It was a double birthday day- Alice turned 14 and nurse Emily celebrated her birthday with her Wishing Well cabinmates, Nurse Jean, Denise, and Dr. Ohmstede. The nurses were able to coax her into Rise n’ Shine so we could sing her the birthday queen song. It was a toasty day today! The lake was the place to be. The swim counselors were swimming with their girls, and Painting class took a field trip to sit around the shady trees by the lake, painting scenes of McLeod and the Beanstalk. It was a little hot for the tomato soup and grilled cheese menu at lunch, but the girls seemed to love it. We were also served delicious juicy peaches!
I spent a few minutes sorting mail with CITs (counselors in training) Kennedy and Cate and their highlights today were competitive card games and their cabinmate, Campbell, winning the camper/counselor tennis tournament. It was a tough match and we all gathered on the hill before lunch to support the teams. In the end Campbell and Elise came out as the Championship winners.
Claire is out at the farm flipping 100 burgers and dogs for Heigh Ho. They will head out at the end of choice period for their farm night. Hillbrook is having a swim party at the lake, and Pineview is heading to Sliding Rock. The Sparks are having a canoe lake and s’more party, and the CITs opted for a movie night! I am posting a tad early tonight so we can head home after we get back from Sliding Rock.
“Good Day Sunshine” was in my head all day long, and I’m pretty sure that’s how I would describe this perfect Illahee day.
-Gardner