Camp 2007: The First Six Days.

Today’s entry is just a recap of the last several days. Now that camp has settled into a bit of a rhythm, it’s our plan to have a couple of our Junior Counselors be our “camp reporters” each day so that we can keep our adoring public better informed! Stay tuned for more as the summer progresses…

SUNDAY
Everyone arrived safely at camp, and got to know each other playing big fun meadow games. That evening, we had the very first campfire of 2007, and all the campers and staff got up onstage to introduce themselves. We also took sign-ups for high ropes, horseback riding lessons, and backpacking trips.

The following campers signed up for riding lessons, and will be taking a lesson each morning for the next week: Claire S, Agnes A, Silvie S, Calena R, Helen G, Jordan G, Danielle S, Hank F, Andre G, Taryn L, Griffin B, Casey N, David G, Molly M, Lia M, Kelsey G, Valary Z, Aiden R, Sarah P, Emma T, Julia V, Tess L, Colleen P, Mariah D, Simone S, Isabel B, Fiona H, Dawn Linn T, Nira K.

MONDAY
On Monday all the activities started and everyone made a trip to the pool for swim checks. Our first lake group of the season was Brendan S, Michael O, Tim Y, Monica A, Aaron R, Emerson K, and Rebekah M. Our first high ropes group was: Marina N, Dionna J, Joe G, Peter D, James O, Justin C, Will M, Patrick L, Bryan Q, Adam O, and Paul E. The arts and crafts, paintings were made with things the kids found while on a nature walk. In the afternoon, Devon K, David G, Casey N, Michael A, Jake H, Griffin B, Helen G, and Jordan G took their turn at the lake. In the evening, campers got to choose from a variety of activities, including a canoe trip to Round Valley Lake (selected by Laura S, Tess L, Danielle S, Michael A, Griffin B, Casey N, Alexis O, and Rebekah M), and a fishing trip (Fiona H, Aiden R, Valary Z, Agnes A, Sarah P, Michael O.) Other campers chose from a variety of in-camp activities: a nature walk, Frisbee fun, a mountain bike ride, charades, dance, the climbing wall, and hide & seek.

TUESDAY
Tuesday was Claire S’s birthday, and we celebrated with decorations and chocolate cake. Specialty groups started at horses, including mini driving, saddle club and vaulting. For the next week, our Saddle Clubbers are Julia V, Sarah F, Aide R, Laura S, Helen G; our vaulters are Alexis O, Dawn Linn T, Ryleigh H, Taryn L, Tess L, Griffin B, and David G; and our Mini Drivers are Calena R, Agnes A, Sarah P, Valary Z, Claire S, Silvie S, Mariah D, Fiona H, Danielle S, Casey N, and Tess O. Several campers also signed up to be Barn Rats, who will help out with barn chores in the morning, including Colleen P, Tess O, Kelsey G, Lia M, Jordan G, Griffin B, Valary Z, and Aiden R.

The morning lake group today was Hank F, Taryn L, Andre G, Agnes A, Claire S, Calena R, Silvie S, and Sarah P. On the high ropes course were Simone S, Kelsey G, Monica A, Brianne C, Tim Y, Emerson K, Aaron R, Devon K, Griffin B, Casey N. After lunch, Tess L, Danielle S, Molly M, Paul E, Pat L, Mathieu W, and Adam O took their turn at the lake, while the highlight of the in-camp activities was cookie-baking. At campfire that night, The Battleship, Phule’s Paradise, Treehouse, and FBI presented skits.

WEDNESDAY
The boys of Phules’ Paradise and The Swamp, along with Monica A, Simone S, Kelsey G, Mariah D, and Rebekah M, left on a three-day backpack trip to Lassen National Park. That evening, all of the remaining campers in camp hiked out to our campsites along the creek, to roast hotdogs for dinner, eat ‘smores for dessert, and sleep underneath the stars. The craft activity for the day was tie-dye.

THURSDAY
After a fulfilling breakfast of bagels and cereal, our outposters hiked back to camp for military showers (to conserve water). Parents, check your mail because today was letter writing day, and letters should be arriving home soon from your camper! In the afternoon, campers cooled off at water balloon volleyball and at the pool. Thursdays have only one Lake Group, and Valary Z, Fiona H, Dawn Linn T, Tess O, Colleen P, Marina N, Dionna J, and Laura S. took advantage of an extra-long opportunity to practice wakeboarding and kneeboarding. The evening concluded with campfire, featuring skits by Club Med, Billabong, and Times Square.

FRIDAY
At lunch today, Mike Fisher got to sign the kayak hanging on our deck, as recognition for mastering his roll at the pool this morning. We also expect Brianne C to be signing the kayak very soon! The backpackers returned, dirty and happy, in time for our Pajama Party dance this evening. Club Med and Battleship will get special ice cream sundaes tonight, as rewards for having the cleanest cabins. Our usual morning lake group (Hank F, Michael O, Andre G, and Taryn L.) hit the water this morning, and Alexis O, Sarah F, Julia V, Isabel B, Nera K, Emma T, Griffin B, and David G took over in the afternoon.

By Kristin Beardsley and Camry Haskins, edited by Amy.