It’s quiet now. The campers are sleeping peacefully, completely and utterly exhausted after a day that never seemed to slow down. From the 8am bell to the last note of Footloose tonight, we’ve been moving — laughing, dancing, growing, becoming a family.
And I am sitting here so grateful for every hug, every smile, every chat and every child who you’ve shared with us this session. I love your kids! I love my job!
Twenty-five years ago, I started at Camp Highlander as a young woman just a couple years out of college. I was young enough to still remember what it felt like to be a camper, and old enough to maybe help guide someone through it. I’m not young anymore. I’m a mom of three. I’ve lived enough to know what matters and what doesn’t. And somehow — impossibly — your children still make me feel like a kid inside.
Here’s why: I see myself in them.
I was a shy kid growing up. The kind who needed time to warm up, who watched before jumping in, who eventually opened up but only when it felt safe. I see that kid all the time when I walk around camp — the quiet ones, the observers, the ones who are still figuring out if they belong here.
And then I watch what happens.
I watch the ONE LOVE of this community reach out and say: you belong here, exactly as you are. I watch a shy camper get pulled onto the dance floor and realize that nobody is waiting for them to be someone different. I watch the walls come down, bit by bit, moment by moment. Today I saw so many of those reserved ones opening up to the pure joy of camp, and it was absolutely awesome. It reminded me why I’m still here. It reminded me that this place is special.
Each day, our cabins are growing closer. Each camper is finding their place — sometimes it’s on the field, sometimes it’s in the art bays, sometimes it’s just sitting quietly being a good friend. And watching that happen, being trusted to witness it, feels like such a blessing to me.
Tonight was Square Dance — one of our most beloved Highlander traditions. The evening showers left the field soggy, so we packed everyone into the gym, and if anything, the energy got even higher. Three classic square dances had us all hot, sweaty, breathless with laughter, tangled up with people we barely knew two days ago and now can’t imagine camp without. And then came the Footloose finale — that grand tradition we all cherish, where the whole community moves as one.
That’s Camp Highlander. That’s what I’ve been doing for twenty-five years.
Our mission is simple: ONE LOVE. We believe that every camper and every staff member should feel loved and accepted for exactly who they are. And we believe that same love should challenge them to become the best version of themselves. Not a different version. Not a smaller version. The best version of the person they already are.
When you send your child to Highlander, you’re trusting us with something precious. What we promise is that we will love them. We will see them. We will make space for the shy ones to open up, the bold ones to shine, and everyone in between to find their people and their place.
Today, I saw more campers find their people and their place. And tomorrow, I will be blessed to witness it happen for even more. I really do have the best job EVER!
Favorite Details of The Day
- Reflect at the Rock: This morning at Reflect Mac talked to us about age. When we are young, we count the quarters, the halves, and every month counts to getting older. Then when we get older, we say I just turned…even when we are one month from our next birthday. Age is a funny thing that can make us feel weak or strong. But today Mac reminded us that age is just a number. No matter how old or how young we are, we each have today - to embrace, to enjoy and to be a blessing to someone else. Life is not measured by years, but by the moments that make the years count, at any age.
- Weather: We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day on Old Forge. The sun was out in full force. Just as Camper’s Choice sign-ups were ending, a rainshower came through camp, like a gift. After a really hot day, campers were giddy about getting wet and rained on as they headed back to their cabin to get ready for Square Dance. The truth is…when you’re at Camp Highlander, every moment feels like a gift… even the rain.
- Meals: For breakfast we had biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. Lunch was turkey and cheese ciabattas, Miss Vickie’s chips and a salad bar. Dinner was chicken alfredo, kale salad and garlic bread with our sandwich and salad bar. At the end of Camper’s Choice announcements, the staff broke out in the Gus’s chant…and we all got Gus’s for dessert. (Gus’s is our candy and soda shack and a very popular treat for camp!)
- Evening Program: Tonight’s EP was Square Dance. It was the best way to get everyone out of their shell and into the HIghlander spirit!
- Highlight of My Day: Apple Cart with our camp dog Lovey. Watching your kids run to the apple cart like ants from a stepped on ant pile - AMAZING! I don’t know if they were more excited about the cold apples on a hot day or the hot kisses from Lovey. They both brought big smiles that absolutely melted my heart! And they sure do know how to make an old camp director feel loved - the hugs from your sweet kiddos when they see me are absolutely priceless!
About Melissa Fitzgerald
