The 2018 season opened last weekend with lifeguard training, van driving and the arrival of all the staff on Monday. We are well into the week and the counselors are enjoying ice cream and crafting door dec’s in the dining hall. I just said good night to the camp moms who came to be on the Parent Panel. This is a favorite orientation session and we had several return mothers join us- parent and alum Carole Hilderbran, along with our summer office manager’s mother Kimberly and Marisa from Falling Creek Camp and Zoob from High Rocks Camp High Rocks , both with Illahee girls coming this summer. Whether current mothers or those reflecting on their daughter’s early camp experience, the desire for strong role models drew all of these parents to Illahee along with the opportunity to gain independence in a protective environment.
In between our more focused orientation sessions, we’ve been having a great time playing! From Monday night’s icebreakers to Tuesday’s Airband, we’ve seen lots of humor. Two cabin groups created a rap version of camp’s mission statement ! Now that’s creative. A rainy week hasn’t dampened spirits…last night’s cookout morphed into a “diner experience” and a surprise trip to Dolly’s.
Tomorrow morning will include a camp-wide clean-up- “Puttin’ on the Glitz” followed by the final activity training sessions. We’ll have our own afternoon choice period with Splash, Pickle Ball, and the chance to tye dye t’shirts before loading the buses to head out to the farm for a picnic.
After getting to know this year’s staff, I am excited about all that they will offer this summer. Whether new to Illahee or returning to camp, they are all here united by their desire to be part of a strong and positive community. We can’t wait for campers to join us this Sunday when the real fun begins.
Until then, Laurie