Sundays at Alpine
Today’s meals might be some of my favorite all term. I love the link style sausage she served this morning, with the tiniest bit of spice in it. She accompanied those with scrambled eggs, hot oatmeal, cinnamon toast, and of course, fruits and dry cereals. For lunch Mississippi farm raised catfish, fried and served hot with black eyed peas, creamed corn, and a green salad. And finally supper: pulled pork BBQ, baked beans, chips, pickle slices, and green salad. For dessert at lunch the KB’s brought out small,cold bowls of rainbow sherbet. And at dinner we each enjoyed a warm sugar cookie.
A couple funny stories of late regarding the food at Alpine. Last night was our traditional month term dance with the ladies from Camp Desoto (I’ll fill you in shortly). One of our youngest campers walked up to a Desoto counselor and asked, “who is your head cook?”. The counselor responded with her name and the little boy then asked, “is she famous?”. Counselor laughed and replied, I don’t think so. The little boy immediately shot right back, “well our head cook is famous, her name is Mrs. Gail!”. We agree, she’s pretty famous around here!
At this point in the term Carter and I, along with some other admin staff, get to go around and do cabin check-ins. These are informative and encouraging and sometimes hysterical. The goal, of course, is to give us a touch point with each cabin, to find out how things are going. Often I ask, what do you love about Alpine and is there anything you are not loving this year. Today, again one of our younger campers, quickly replied, “I love the food at camp, it’s better than at home!” Several other campers in his cabin agreed. I did not ask any follow up questions and I will not divulge which cabin, haha.
So about the dances last night. The younger boys boarded yellow school buses run by our friends at Round and Round buses. But not before an early shower period with plenty of time to get that hair just right and find that collared shirt at the bottom of the stack. Desoto served as gracious hosts, treating them to a delicious dinner before playing some team games, singing camp songs, and line dancing in the gym. Meanwhile, we happily hosted the older girls over here for a buffet dinner followed by a dance in our gym. The noise level was a bit louder at bedtime in all the cabins last night after the girls left!
Tomorrow will be a welcome change of pace after a full and adventurous week. We certainly view Sundays as holy, or set apart. A day of rest and gladness. Now with 300+ boys a day of rest doesn’t mean laying around the house and being lazy like you and I might think about rest. But it’s a day that feels different. A day of traditions and change of pace that allows for a restful feeling.
A great tradition at Alpine is the wearing of Sunday whites to church. Everyone, my family included, wear all white. Counselors and campers wear the old school neckerchief around their neck, secured with an Alpine leather slide. We walk to church in a single file line, processing into the gym as the musicians play hymns. This year we have quite a few talented guitarists, a gifted violinist, and several drummers. We will worship, including a sermon by our camp pastor, Curtis Shields. And Sunday lunch will beckon us with crispy baked chicken, green beans, rice and gravy, and Mayfield Moosetracks ice cream.
In the afternoon cabins will enjoy cabin time together, playing a game or taking a hike. Richard will end Sunday afternoon slicing some cold, juicy watermelon on the team sports field. We end Sundays with an evening vespers service in each cabin area.
As a Christian camp Sundays are important. We believe they are to be set apart. But we believe that what it means to be a Christian camp must be considered every day of the week. We can’t compartmentalize our lives. I tell the counselors that all of their lives lived out in front of these boys is showing them what it looks like to be a Christian. It’s important what we say in a devotional or church service. It’s just as important how we treat each other and show the love of Christ to each other in all of our actions.
