Picture Perfect Day

Glenn Breazeale | Jun. 28, 2015

Today’s been easily the most beautiful we’ve had all term.  Gorgeous blue skies with white billowy clouds and a nice breeze.  Not to mention temperatures in the low 80’s with low humidity.  Spirits have been high all day.  We worshiped this morning in the gym with a breeze blowing through.  Our friend and pastor and long time Alpiner, Bill Boyd, told us a captivating version of Daniel and the Lion’s Den, borrowed in part from Sally Lloyd Jones’ rendition in her Jesus Storybook Bible.  He reminded us that no “lion”, be it losing at tribe competition, getting bullied (which he also reminded us that every single one of us will be both victim and guilty party too at some point in our growing up), or feeling tired (addressed to counselors and I would add parents!) can defeat us, because of God’s love for us through Jesus.

I have just left the Team sports field where Richard was cutting cold watermelon once again.  Many cabins had returned from Sunday afternoon hikes or games.  Some came back with full jars of fresh blackberries.  Just in the last few days they have ripened for the picking.  Tonight each age group will have a final chance at Slaughterball, and the coveted tribe points that come with it.  Then one final Sunday evening vespers service as the sun sets on this beautiful day.

And then there’s the Glee Club performance last night to give you a report on!  Will Walker, who will be a junior at Ole Miss from Memphis, ably led our guys into the performance.  Will’s a talented guitarist and violinist who grew up camping with us too.  He wrote a new Glee Club song this year - not sure if I’ve mentioned this yet - it brought down the house last night with the ladies.  The PO Box for Camp Desoto is 432.  He took Taylor Swift’s popular hit, 22, and arranged it to a boy wanting to write a letter to PO Box 432.  It was well written, clever and performed with charm from the boys.

Two classes of our trash can band showed some solid beats they have been working on all term.  Our first year chiefs entertained with a rousing step show.  Second year chiefs rewrote a Desoto song to the pop tune, Riptide.  And of course, we were serenaded by the ladies singing their beautiful songs.

One other important Glee Club note - the photos from last night were uploaded this morning but are under the heading Day 6-27-15.

Tomorrow will be super busy - final two activities in the morning, packing, and lots of necessary wrap up, including lost and found, travel arrangements, etc.  And tomorrow night we’ll celebrate the term with Final Banquet.  A seated banquet style dinner starts the evening, then moves into the gym.  Awards for activities and age groups will be given out and the winning tribe announced.  More than that we’ll celebrate the great term we’ve had.

This will more than likely be my last post for the term, given our busy schedule tomorrow.  As a reminder, the gates will open at 7:30 AM Central time Tuesday morning.  Most campers are usually picked up by 10 AM.  And don’t forget to stop by the Lodge to pick up medicines left over.

Thanks for reading and good night for now,

Glenn

Glenn Breazeale
Glenn Breazeale

Like his own father, Glenn grew up as a camper at Alpine for six summers, coming from Jackson, MS each summer. He has served on staff at Alpine since 1997, working full time as Assistant Director from 2003 to 2005 and Director since 2006. Prior to that he gained experience serving in various capacities including cabin counselor, Head Counselor, Head of Project Adventure (Ropes course), Horseback instructor, and Program Director. Glenn’s love of camping and his desire to preserve the traditions of Alpine drew him back to camp to offer young boys the same opportunities he experienced. He met and fell in love with Carter during a Square Dance with Camp DeSoto.