stories from camp

Santa’s Elves Have Been Working to Send a Present Your Way!

It is a little dreary at camp today, but Santa’s Elves have been busy spreading holiday cheer! In the office, Christmas carols are playing, and the tables are scattered with DVDs, packages, stamps and labels. They will soon be on their way to all Illahee girls, both near and far. The DVD is packed with … Continued

Santa’s Workshop: The Elves Aren’t Cooperating!

Check out Camp Illahee’s latest video, shot while trying to get Liza and Newton, the summer camp dogs, to pose for the annual Christmas card. It’s a riot! http://vimeo.com/55300706  

Six Flights in Seven Days and Thankful for Camp Friends Along the Way!

I may need a new travel agent….six flights in seven days!  What was I thinking? Asheville to Tampa to Ormond Beach to Houston to Dallas to New Orleans and back home in time to drive over to enjoy camp movies with Raleigh girls and counselors who trekked over from UNC Chapel Hill!  While it has … Continued

Lost and Found!

The Strayhorns came home after a post-camp vacation to some really sad news…Liza and Newton had been missing for two days! Generally, we board them at our local doggy camp when we leave town, but this time, we decided to leave them under the capable care of Gallagher, who is living in the “Villa” through … Continued

Farewell 2012 (The Best Summer Ever)!

Not much surprises me after 23 years of camp directing, but I am often touched by the kindness of others. Tonight it came in a small package at an unexpected time. We had just finished floating Wish Boats on the swim lake, when a Hillbrook Camper, probably around 8 or 9 came up to me … Continued

What a Difference a Day Makes!

One of the things that I love about Junior Camp is reaching that point in the session where it is obvious to me that camp is feeling comfortable to the girls. They walk with a little more purpose, and a lot more confidence…they have found their way around, and everything doesn’t seem so big and … Continued

How to Fit a Session into a Week!

One of my favorite things to do during camp is to take pictures to post on our website. First, it gets me out of the office, where I have a fairly consistent list of things I could attend to. I guess I’ll eventually check most of it off. During camp, office work feels kind of … Continued