We had an awesome first full day of classes in our cabin groups today, and I am so grateful to our incredible staff who make even the rainy days some of the most fun days at camp! Today was one of those unforgettable, super fun, rainy and overcast days! While we have “rainy day plans” for when the weather interferes, today we were able to operate activities as normal because there was no lighting or thunder. Some of us just got a little wet, but that made for more fun memories!
My favorite memory from today wasn’t at the activities, it was in the dining hall. We close each meal at camp with a few announcements to keep us all on track. From reminders about laundry day, to evening program plans, to HBA game times or activity changes…these announcements are critical to keeping us on our schedule and in the routine of camp. At dinner, and only at dinner, we allow shout-outs - a time for campers and staff to recognize one another for a job well done, a new record set or for just making someone’s day.
Tonight was our first night of shout-outs this session, and already the line snaked around the dining hall. There were campers shouting out their cabin for being the best on camp, or a cabinmate for being kind and helpful, for hitting the bulls-eye in archery or setting a record for a plank in yoga…one camper even came up to shout-out her counselor for getting all the food out of her teeth. (Ha! Ha!) These shout-outs are truly the highlight of my day. They make me laugh and sometimes they even make me cry. They spark gratitude and remind me to appreciate the simple things. They are hilarious, silly, sweet and always full of love! It is heartwarming and life-giving to see the love that these campers have for one another and for this mountain.
Tonight, there was a shout-out that got a standing ovation. About half- way through this long line of shout-outs, a young girl from cabin 14 says “I would like to give a big shoutout to ALL the staff here at Camp Highlander…I don’t know HOW you keep up with all these CRAZY campers!” The dining hall erupted in laughter, cheers, whistles, claps and everyone jumped to their feet to agree with her…the Highlander staff are truly amazing! They pour their hearts and souls into your children each day, and crazy campers or not…our staff are crazy about your kids!
Favorite Details of the Day
- Weather: The bell rang at 8:00 am as the rain was pouring down. I love rain on a tin roof, but it makes it hard to get out of your warm, cozy bunk. Campers and staff came down to breakfast decked in rainboots and ponchos ready for a fun-filled day! Ain’t no rain gonna get us down here at Highlander! The rain stopped right at the end of first period, and the sun tried to peek through the clouds for the rest of the day! The temperature was in the high 60’s, low 70’s for most of the day.
- Meals: For breakfast we had french toast sticks, scrambled eggs, sausage links and a fruit bar. For lunch we had turkey and cheese ciabatta sandwiches with all the dipping sauces, wavy potato chips and a salad bar. For dinner we had greek chicken, roasted vegetables, warm pita bread and Highlander’s homemade red pepper hummus. It was fantastic!!
- EP: Tonight’s EP was Cabin Challenge! Cabins dressed up in the various themes from Hawaiian to cabin colors and competed against brother and sister cabins in games like tic-tac-toe relay,limbo, musical ice buckets,the cup game, pictionary, rock, paper, scissors and more. Honestly, we had a blast! Cabin 3 and Cabin 29 competed in the finale, and Cabin 29 won the event and the EP trophy!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
