Wishing and Hoping

As a camp director of 25 years, I’m used to boos.

Announce cabin inspection on a Monday morning after a two-day break, and you’re going to get them. It’s part of the job. I’ve made peace with it. This morning was no different and the dramatic sighs were absolutely Oscar-worthy.

But after the announcements were made at the end of breakfast, I reminded everyone that we only have two more days of activities as cabin groups and they should make every second count. The room erupted — not in cheers, not in celebration, but in the most beautiful chorus of boos I have ever heard in my life.

Those boos made my morning. They made my whole week.

Because there is a world of difference between a groan about cabin inspection and a groan about camp ending too soon. One is about making your bed. The other is about not being ready to leave the best place on earth. Our campers are so happy. Deeply, genuinely, can’t-believe-how-fast-this-is-going happy. And today, a normal Monday at camp with your cabinmates by your side, felt like a wish come true. And at this point in the session, there is nothing our campers want more.

Five periods. Five chances to laugh, compete, create, splash, and grow — all with the people who have become your people. Cabins were dancing their way between activities today. Singing on the paths between periods, laughing through the shock of cold water at riverball, bringing an energy to every corner of this mountain that reminded you why we do this. Not performing for anyone. Just living their best lives at Highlander, soaking in every last drop of a day that felt like a gift.

After eight days at camp, it stops being a schedule and starts being a life. Your cabinmates become your family — the ones who cheer for you, laugh with you, and somehow make even the ordinary moments feel worth remembering.

This afternoon down at the lake, I spotted campers standing at the water’s edge, picking dandelions and blowing on them — the way you do when you have a wish you want badly, but can’t voice for fear that it won’t come true. I stood there watching and found myself wondering: what are they wishing for?

I think I know. Because I was wishing it too.

Time, slow down. Please.

We are having too much fun and just don’t want this session to end.

Tomorrow we will do it all again - hoping that the day never ends.

Favorite Details of The Day

• Reflect at the Rock: This morning at Reflect, Riley talked about not giving up even when things get tough, because every small step brings you closer to the finish line. Finishing what you start shows how strong you are, and the feeling of crossing that finish line is the best reward of all!
• Weather: We enjoyed another beautiful day on Old Forge. The sun was shining all day but there were a few clouds in the sky that I thought would bring rain. Just as EP was ending, a light sprinkle began to fall. It was the kind that doesn’t make you run for cover. The kind that doesn’t spoil the fun. The kind that you are grateful to cool you down after an active night. It was the perfect kind of rain and the perfect end to our day!
• Meals: For breakfast we had french toast sticks, scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, oatmeal and a fresh fruit bar. For lunch we had baked ziti, breadsticks, a salad bar and a sandwich bar. Dinner was my favorite - Greek Chicken, roasted vegetables, rosemary potatoes, hummus and pita, a salad bar and sandwich bar.
• EP: Tonight’s EP was Counselor Hunt — our beloved, chaotic, deeply competitive take on hide and seek. Counselors went full camo, disappearing into every corner of this mountain with entirely too much enthusiasm. Cabins spread out across camp with another counselor and one mission: find them, bust them, score the points. There is something deeply satisfying about catching a counselor who thought they were invisible, and the squeals of victory tonight were proof of that. Congratulations to Cabin 14 for hunting smarter, harder, and better than anyone else tonight — the EP trophy is yours, and you earned it.