Weekend Update
Saturday brought us cool overcast skies and no rain - a perfect day for playing on the Mountain. After fueling up for the day with scrambled eggs, grits, toast, Greek yogurt, granola, and fruit, boys took off into the third day of activities. Boys are at home now. Any trace of homesickness they might be feeling is disappearing as they meet new friends and get into the routine of camp. Don’t be alarmed if you get a letter or two tomorrow mentioning being homesick. Remember that was written a few days ago, in a moment in time, probably a slow moment, like rest hour. Most of the time after those letters are written the camper is back out happily playing in camp an hour later. I can assure you that boys are all playing hard and having fun.
At lunch two campers approached my table carrying firearms targets with holes in them. Holes in the very center of the square, brown paper I might add. They wanted to show me their scores from that morning shooting BB guns. 29/30 and 27/30. I asked them if either of them had ever shot much at home. Both shook their heads no. They were so proud. Boys are learning skills here at camp. Riflery and Archery are led by Mike Fielder, a retired U.S. Marshal (whose wife Monique you’ve probably spoken to in the office). Mike and his capable staff of 6 counselors do an amazing job of teaching boys how to shoot as well as teaching boys to respect the firearms or bows.
Wilderness classes hiked several different trails in search of bugs, lizards, and other cool finds. One of our trails leads off behind Rabbit Run and Rising Fawn cabins. It runs parallel to Little River, providing great views of the rapids off to the right, and probably 100 yards away. And on the left, as you descend downhill, a rock shelf or wall rises up, growing taller as you go downhill. Even in some places it overhangs the trail creating a cave like shelter. God has given us a beautiful piece of property to explore. I heard a quote from one camper yesterday, “This has been a good day, I saw a turtle, a lizard, and a deer, and I lost a tooth.”
Maybe my favorite activity in Junior Camp is Earth Games. Earth Games is everything most of the team sports are not. Earth games is what boys today need more of. Yesterday they played in the mud. That was it. Mud day. They splashed around in a mud puddle, many were covered in mud head to toe (don’t worry they all had a shower last night before dinner!). One day they’ll build mazes and sandcastles in the sand volleyball court. One day they don costumes from our costume closet and “dance raid” other activities. Armed with a portable speaker they visit several activities (not ones like horseback or riflery of course) and dance around the activity for a few minutes. Then they vanish.
Sunday breakfast is the stuff of legends. Mrs. Gail (and her mom, Mrs. Crow, before her) have a coveted pancake recipe. Arriving at the dining hall to a piping hot stack of pancakes, sausage, fruit, etc is a great way to start a Sunday morning. Jordan Griesbeck brought us an encouraging message at church this morning on the Lord’s prayer. He said that if Jesus’ taught his disciples to pray so boldly then we could certainly pray boldly to God as well.
Jordan is a former Alpine counselor and head counselor who is recently married. He has just completed his 2nd year in seminary in St. Louis, MO. The camp minister’s job is not only to preach on Sundays but to provide encouragement and support to our 70+ counselors and staff. His lovely wife Emily is running our Crafts shop this summer.
This afternoon boys enjoyed some special activities, selected by our Program Director, Malcolm Saxon, within their age group. Capture the Flag, Extreme 4 Square, an afternoon at Little River and more! We finished off a fine Sunday afternoon with fresh cut, cold watermelon on the Team sports field.
Tomorrow we’ll be back to our regular activity schedule, with some really special events ahead in the coming days! Look forward to reporting on those soon.
Thanks for reading. Hope you’re weekend has been as fun and full as ours,
Glenn
