It has been a busy couple of days at Kahdalea and Chosatonga! Yesterday we said farewell to our Junior 2 campers (2-weekers). What a great group of kids we had. One parent texted us on her way home to share a story: she asked her daughter if she ever missed home or her mom and dad and the daughter quietly and coyly responded… “Honestly, I kinda forgot parents were a thing…” That brought a smile to my face! Boy, did they love camp! In their short time with us they truly stepped into the camp spirit and fully embraced the camp family. There was not a shortage of tears as they left. Of course, that is not always every camper’s experience. There can be struggles in cabin life or homesickness. It can be tough to do, but we see even those hardships as a gift: they allow campers the opportunity to grow in maturity and confidence. As a parent, I understand that it is hard to resist that knee jerk reaction to jump and help anytime there is a problem or struggle, but it is so important to show your kids that you trust them to overcome hard things. One way we can do that is by letting them work through it. That is “parenting with the end in mind” – the “end” being an independent and capable adult. And I have to say: well done! Well done to all the campers who worked through their first time away from home for so long and who bravely explored a new environment, which has now become a new home and a new family. We are so proud of you!
This morning we also welcomed our 2nd group of 1 week campers (Mini Session). They are such a fun crew! They have already been enjoying the lake this morning and are rock climbing and paddling this afternoon. They are covering ground-schools now while there is a gentle rain passing through and then they’ll be up on the wall in 4th period.
As we step into the 3rd week of activities, it has been a busy start to the week here. Trips have been going out every day – and today camp is quiet as most of the campers are out exploring. One of my favorite wilderness trips at Chosatonga went out yesterday: Disaster Dogs! On this trip we set up a survival scenario and the kids have to build shelters to sleep in for the night and then navigate a few miles through the wilderness between Kahdalea and Chosatonga using a map and compass to make it to their rescue point (Kahdalea) where they are met with a hot meal and cookies.
This afternoon has been fairly quiet. Only a small group are in at Chosatonga and the most hopping activities are chess, Arts and Crafts (where popsicle stick boats are being built for a race later today), and guitar – though I predict that when the rain passes shortly the lake will be buzzing again as always. Tomorrow, I won’t be surprised if Chosatonga is empty as the boys take to the forests.
At Kahdalea, things are humming along; camp is more lively and I can tell you that the girls were shining in their goofy glam at Blingo – last night’s Evening Activity. It is a joy to see them so comfortably connecting and being fearlessly silly with each other.
Thank you for the gift of sharing your camper’s time with us!
