I love Camper’s Choice Days! There’s something incredibly powerful that happens when campers get to take the reins — when they’re trusted to choose how they’ll spend their time, where they want to go, and who they want to be with. On Camper’s Choice days, you can see it written all over their faces: confidence, joy, and a sense of freedom.
In a world where so much of our children’s time is scheduled, evaluated, or guided by others, the chance to design their own day is more than just a fun break from the norm — it’s liberating. They’re not just following a schedule — they’re creating it. They get to ask themselves: What do I want to do? What makes me happy? Who do I want by my side? And in those decisions, they’re learning to trust their own voice.
Today I saw campers moving with purpose — not rushed, but intentional. Some gravitate toward high-energy activities with friends: flying high off the blob, scaling the ropes course or playing ultimate on the field. Others choose a slower pace journey of time alone to recharge: reading in a hammock by the creek or sunbathing on the deck with a few close friends. Some are focused on conditioning and practicing for the competition that lies ahead (Color War) - testing their skills at firebuilding or running on Old Forge. Whatever they chose, they were fully present — and that kind of presence is where real joy lives.
What really makes this Camper’s Choice day so special, what these campers will remember most, is not what they were doing but who they were doing it with. They’re sharing their choices with the people who matter most. Whether it’s their cabinmates, a friend from another cabin, or a counselor who’s become like an older sibling, the ability to spend the day with people they want to be around makes everything feel deeper, richer, more connected.
Camper’s Choice is not just about having fun (though they’re certainly doing that, too). It’s about ownership. It’s about being trusted. And it’s about discovering, often without even realizing it, that they’re capable of designing a life — or at least a day — that makes them the happiest camper on Old Forge Mountain. This is the kind of freedom that builds confidence. It’s the kind of experience that sticks long after the summer ends.
Favorite Details of The Day
- Reflect at the Rock: This morning, Ben, our Senior Boys Division Head, shared a powerful message about the gift of being different. He reminded us that God created each of us to be unique, and it’s that uniqueness that makes the world a richer, more beautiful place. Rather than just accepting our differences, Ben encouraged us to celebrate them—because it’s our individuality that makes each of us truly special.
- Weather: It was raining when the wake-up bell rang this morning, which predicted a rainy day plan for Camper’s Choice. But much to our surprise, the rain cleared by morning assembly and gave us a full day of sunshine for activities. It was a beautiful, glorious day on Old Forge Mountain.
- Meals: For breakfast we had Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, oatmeal and a fresh fruit bar. For lunch we had chicken quesadillas, homemade guacamole, chips & salsa, along with our salad bar and sandwich bar. Dinner was chicken teriyaki with broccoli and carrots, fried rice and egg rolls. The campers loved it! For dessert we had chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. They were a HUGE hit!
- EP: It was GAME DAY at Camp Highlander, and tonight’s EP was tailgate. We gathered as divisions in different areas of camp to play games, dance, sing, get wet and have a ton of fun with our friends. It was a nice relaxed night with friendly competition and fun for all!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
