First Term Opening Day

We know that the term is officially underway when the first Slaughterball has been thrown.  As I type, multiple colors of dense nerf type balls are being slung back and forth in the gym. It’s a tradition that dates back as far as Alpine. Our own version of dodgeball, played Cherokee vs. Mohawk.  For me, and so many others, it represents the sound of our summers.  Cheers and laughter, an occasional whistle blow, varied chants of “Mohawk, Mohawk” or “Cherokee, Cherokee” that rise and fall with the momentum of the game.  And then finally, every few minutes, a loud scream from one side of the gym, as the hero for the night puts out that last member of the other tribe.  The elation only lasts for a few moments, then another age group is called out.  A chance for redemption for the losing tribe.

My name is Glenn Breazeale.  I was able to meet or reconnect with many of you today. My wife Carter and I are the directors. We have been directors since 2006, full time staff since 02.  Prior to that I was privileged to serve on summer staff for 4 summers as a counselor and head counselor.  Growing up in Jackson, MS, my parents gave me the gift of camping at Alpine for 6 summers.  Carter grew up at Alpine.  Her parents are Dick and Alice O’Ferrall, longtime directors here, and now emeritus.

We make our home at Alpine all summer long, along with our two girls, Caroline and Gigi, age 10.  Our house sits across the road from the team sports field and gym, with screened porch almost directly across from the gym. Many nights I’ll sit on our porch listening to the sounds of your boys playing as I type some news that hopefully you’ll find interesting and informative.

This morning we dropped Caroline and Gigi off at Camp Desoto for 25 days, their third summer.  They were thrilled and have been counting down the days since this winter.  In some ways it was harder than ever for Carter and me.  They’ve had a tougher year in school.  And just by nature of age are a bit wiser to the ways of the world, for better and for worse.  Carter and I both had a sense that they might be a bit homesick this year, for the first time ever (though they weren’t when we left).

Yet we know they are right where they need to be.  It may be hard for us.  And we know camp will be immeasurable good for them.  For life.  They will learn things from college counselors that we could never teach them.  Good things.  They want to be like those Christian college girls (and so do we for them).  So they’ll watch their every move.

So we know a little about what it might have been like to be in your shoes today, whether dropping off for the first time or the 3rd or 4th year.  And we hope the same for your boys this term that we hope for our girls.  Even if they are a little bit homesick that’s OK (though I have to say I’ve yet to hear about or see any homesick boys - I think one of the benefits of opening later).  We are gonna take good care of them, like we would our own girls.

But of course it’s the counselors who really make Alpine for the boys.  And this is a really strong group, maybe one of the best we’ve had in years.

This afternoon we took care of a few necessary items. Boys received knitwear, sizes checked and tags labeled by the ladies in the store. Health checks including screening for lice and fever.  Cabin pictures that you should see posted on the login portion of the website tonight.

Shortly after you left we gathered in the gym for our opening meeting with all of camp.  Carter and I welcome the boys to Alpine.  I opened by reading from John 13:34-35.  Jesus gives a mandate to his disciples, on the night before he would be crucified.  “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  We talked about how we are called to love one another at camp because Jesus has first loved us (not to get Jesus’ approval).  We told them, therefore, that at Alpine we are all free to be ourselves and not worry about impressing others.  That Alpine is not a place where boys pick on or bully.   We introduced all of the head counselors, doctor, nurses, and other leadership staff.  We emphasized the importance of boys letting us know if something is bothering them so we can help them.  We covered some basic boundaries and safety tips.

Boys need to get active quickly, as you all know.  So this afternoon and tonight, in addition to Slaughterball, each age group is playing other fun games around camp.  Several age groups are ending the evening around different campfires, roasting marshmellows for S’mores.  The other age groups will get their turn soon.

For dinner we enjoyed the traditional opening meal of homemade chicken and dumplings, green peas, corn, green salad with sliced tomatoes, and Mrs. Gail’s homemade silver dollar biscuits that hopefully you got to try today.

Thank you, sincerely, for giving your boys this gift. We consider it a high privilege.

Thanks for reading and good night,

Glenn