Camp is an incredibly busy place — just imagine hosting the world’s biggest sleepover (and you know how wonderfully wild those can get!). Every camper has needs, big and small, and our entire team — counselors, activity staff, division heads, nurses, maintenance, kitchen crew, and camp moms — jumps in to meet them right away, always with genuine smiles and willing spirits.
There’s no faking it at camp. You can’t just go through the motions or pretend you’re enjoying it. You have to be all in — fully present with the campers while also juggling a hundred other priorities. It’s a balancing act that’s both exhausting and exhilarating, a kind of organized chaos that’s tough to describe. Every summer I’m amazed by our staff, but this year…this year they’re something truly special, and I am so grateful for them.
Even on the busiest, most demanding days (like today), serving our incredible campers, staff, and families is unbelievably rewarding. There’s a deep joy that keeps us coming back year after year. No matter how many plates we’re spinning, this camp family has a way of filling us up, reminding us why we love it so much, and making every bit of effort completely worth it.
To be honest, I don’t even like the word busy. It can sound like “I’m unavailable” or “something else is more important.” Today, a division head walked into my office and asked, “Are you busy?” And while the answer to that question is almost always yes, what I actually said was, “I’m here. What do you need? How can I help?”
In the real world, we so often busy ourselves with achievements and tasks. At Camp Highlander, we believe in the best kind of busy — busy being there for one another.
I love that our staff model this every day for our campers. We’re never too busy to comfort someone missing home. Never too busy to toss a frisbee during free time. Never too busy to celebrate that first jump off the blob after years of trying. Never too busy to sit in on a WBLT interview. Never too busy to share a hug or a high-five. Never too busy to laugh at a joke or listen to their dreams and questions.
Today our campers were very busy too. Sure, the schedule was the same, but the priorities were spot-on. They were busy building friendships, making connections outside their cabins, and being fully present for the moments that will fill their hearts with memories for years to come.
Yes, it was a VERY BUSY DAY at camp today — but truly, it was the best kind of busy.
Favorite Details of The Day
- Reflect at the Rock: Today Lyndsey talked to us about the impact of camp friendships. She reminded us that camp friends are more like family, helping us become the best version of ourselves. These friends are the ones who see the good and the bad and love you through it all. Camp friends are the best friends! Weather: We were told there would be rain today, and while there was it didn’t count. We had sunshine most of the day, except for a little afternoon drizzle that didn’t even stop activities. It lasted about 20 minutes and was much appreciated to cool down the mountain!
- Meals: For breakfast we had french toast sticks (the campers LOVE them), scrambled eggs, sausage links, grits, oatmeal and a fruit and yogurt bar. For lunch we had chicken caesar wraps, assorted Miss Vicki’s chips, salad bar and sandwich bar. For dinner we had Michael’s BEST grilled chicken! It was SO good! We also enjoyed buttery mashed potatoes, haricot verts and homemade rolls. Everyone went CRAZY when the disco ball went off and found out we were having banana pudding for dessert! This is truly a camp thing, and they LOVE it!
- EP: Tonight’s Evening Program was Camp Islander! Everyone dressed up in their best mermaid, beach or nautical themed attire. Each division traveled to an island to enjoy games, friendly competition and social time with friends. From raft relays to sandcastles and karaoke battles, tonight was full of laughter and memories! T
About Melissa Fitzgerald
