Great Day to Kickoff Summer

This morning, as I stood in the dining hall making announcements, I was filled with a deep sense of purpose and anticipation. After days of training, preparation, and meaningful conversations, our incredible team of staff is ready—not just to lead activities or manage schedules, but to create something far more powerful: a place where every camper feels they belong.

Opening Day of Summer 2025, Kickoff Camp, couldn’t have been more perfect! From the first car to the last, there was an unmistakable energy in the air—an excitement that only comes when something truly special is about to begin. As each car rolled through the gates and campers stepped into a new adventure, our staff cheered louder and smiled bigger, eager to welcome each child into the Highlander family.

We saw beaming smiles and excited faces peeking out of sunroofs and windows. We watched as campers wrapped their parents, siblings, and beloved pups in heartfelt hugs. We saw friendships rekindled with old cabinmates and new ones formed in bursts of joyful energy. Laughter and cheers echoed through the trees, filling the forest with the sounds it had missed for nine long months. Anticipation lit up every face with the promise of the adventures ahead. But the most beautiful moment of all was when first-year nerves melted away with a few kind words from a new cabinmate.

From the very first cabin game, the first shared meal, the first cheer echoing across the Dining Hall at lunch, your children began to feel it—that this is their place. A place where they’re welcomed, known by name, and celebrated for exactly who they are. That sense of belonging doesn’t take days to grow—it takes just moments. And once it settles in, it changes everything. New friendships form. Courage builds. Smiles come more easily. And the mountain starts to feel like home.

Favorite Details of The Day

• Weather: We had a beautiful day to Kickoff the summer at Camp Highlander today! The sun was shining all morning as we welcomed our campers. The clouds covered camp around 4:00 in the afternoon which cooled off our hot day. Just as we were about to finish the campfire tonight,it started to rain. Just in time to cool the night for a cozy night’s sleep!
• Meals: For lunch we enjoyed our opening day favorites - grilled cheese, grilled ham and cheese, tomato soup, french fries, a salad bar and a sandwich bar with whole fruit. For dinner we had pot roast with roasted potatoes and carrots, homemade rolls, salad bar and sandwich bar. After dinner the disco ball was turned on, and the dining hall went crazy. This could only mean one thing - DESSERT! Tonight’s dessert was the famous Highlander Mudslide.
• EP: Tonight at dinner, the EP (evening program) staff were showing off the EP trophy. This is awarded to the cabin who wins the EP each night. Cabins get to sign the trophy and their names are famous for years to come. Just as the EP staff were explaining this, a thief entered the dining hall and stole the trophy. The campers were going crazy! They were screaming at Riley and Virginia trying to warn them that the trophy was being taken. When they turned around and it was gone, they asked all of camp to dress in their best detective, spy, superhero attire to solve the mystery and find the EP trophy. The campers had a blast! After the trophy was found and the thief was caught, we gathered in the gym for a brief opening campfire where we sang, danced and made memories with our new friends!

We are so honored to be part of your child’s story this summer. With just one week to soak it all in, we’re making every moment count. Campers dove straight into the action after rest hour today, filling the afternoon with laughter, adventure, and new friendships. There was a beautiful mix of wide-eyed wonder, a few brave first steps, and so many joyful moments. We’re truly honored that you’ve entrusted us with your amazing children, and we can already tell this is going to be a special week. We can’t wait to see how tomorrow unfolds! The fun has only just begun.