Mama Ducks and How Fast They Fly!

Mama Ducks and How Fast They Fly!

Monday, August 18, 2008

This is an excerpt from Director Gordon Strayhorn's nightly post for camper parents and friends. It includes hundreds of photographs taken of campers in camp activities that day.

In summers past, we have called the staff leader of the groups of junior campers that move from activity to activity Mama Ducks. Their sole responsibility was to facilitate the transfer of a single group throughout camp. We changed things up a little this summer so that an activity leader led the group instead, but the theory and practice remains. I was thinking about this a little while ago as I watched the girls head to "final" campfire, which just concluded. It was a rather dramatic contrast to the timidity which prevailed on opening day. Girls were chatting with each other, excitement punctuating conversations as they talked about camp and their day. Gone were the wide eyes and the "deer in headlights" look that some get when they are off to camp for the first time.

Camp is all about finding individual success. For many, it is the confidence of finding your way around what must seem like a pretty big place to some of these campers. For others, it is managing the housekeeping that comes with being one of many inhabitants in a living space. Still others (this would be our son) discover that mom really is pretty great when she is willing to serve a favorite food even though it looks nothing like what the rest of the family is eating...but that the rest of the world gets more interesting when new things are tried. Of course, there are the projects that get completed, and the fears that are overcome. A lot happens in this short week. I'm always interested to hear the stories when campers get back. Hopefully, my updates will serve as a springboard for your interview when your camper returns. I bet she will seem more confident...and even look a little older.

We always try to keep things rockin along until the very end of camp, so activities were busy all day long. We reserved a tiny bit of time for a little straightening up and packing, but that's not as much fun as the other stuff.

We got another half inch of rain last night. Yippee! By morning, it was out of here, but still a tad overcast. The afternoon revealed a beautiful sunny day...the kind we are used to here in the Heavenly World.

Thanks for sharing your camper with us...for many, a first Illahee experience. We hope that she joins the ranks of other Illahee devotees and that camp will become a lifelong passion...one that will sustain her through the school year with fond memories of the time she spent here. Sleep well. Gordon.

A Chamber of Commerce Day!

A Chamber of Commerce Day!

Monday, June 16, 2008

This is an excerpt from Director Gordon Strayhorn's nightly post for camper parents and friends. It includes hundreds of photographs taken of campers in camp activities that day.

I wonder what it is about getting older that makes "the weight" seem heavier and heavier on some shoulders. True, there are serious issues facing our global community, but I am struck this evening with a sense of true joy after being with our youngest campers at Sliding Rock and Dollys tonight. These girls were FULL of glee, and I mean at 100's of decibels! From the moment I took my place behind the wheel at the front of the bus, the singing and giggles started. Even the staff were singing, slightly off key, at the top of their lungs. For a moment in time, every care in the world was released, and a medley of camp songs and laughter filled the air.

I actually think it is longer than a moment, and that this is the true value of camp. It is separation from the things that are becoming the modern day "teddy bear" for our kids...Ipods and television, cell phones and texting. Some of you probably recognize this soap box, and I will preface it with a disclaimer. I am an expert with YOUR kids, but face the same struggles with my own.

I do think, however, that camp "happens" when we leave this stuff behind, and are left with a community that is all about each other. Conversations arise without the assistance of earphones and amplification. BFF's don't have to be translated...they are in the bunk right next to you. The older role models you really look up to are there all the time, and ready anytime to focus on you. It's a pretty cool place to be.

Tomorrow, I am OUT of Here! I can't wait. Not that I don't like camp. On the contrary. Tomorrow, I start Cabin Adventures with rising 7th graders. Although it can vary, my favorite trip is heading up to "high" Pisgah, and the black balsams. We will hike up where the tree line stops, and the high meadows start. The bluets, my very favorite wildflower will be in full bloom tomorrow. I'll spout on about FDR's new deal and the Civilian Conservation Corps, who built much of the Parkway that we will travel. Some will listen and will be the lucky recipient of a few extra Oreos when I ask for girls to repeat some of the info after lunch. We'll swim and probably stop at Dollys for more ice cream. I can't wait!

The pictures have loaded, and we have Bible Study in the morning at 6:45am with our counselors. I need to set up the coffee maker. And the pictures are through loading. What a treat to have your daughters with us this session. I'm here to tell you...our future is bright! Sleep well. Gordon.

And, they're off!

And, they're off!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

They're here! We have had a whirlwind of a weekend, and Summer 2008 is officially Off and Running!It is going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER!Thursday, Robert and Gordon recertified as Level II Challenge Course Facilitators. Friday midday brought Heads of Hills and Activity Heads, and we began our Leadership Summit. Meanwhile, a Lifeguard Training class was going on at the lake and at the nearby Brevard Racquet Club. Erin completed a three-day Ropes Course Training course and Gina completed a Water Safety Instructor course.Saturday brought Driver Training and more specialized training for the adventure staff. Sunday, there was a little break for some of our folks to join Laurie at church, and then Ropes Course training consumed the rest of the day.Monday, our climbers and paddlers attended training as well as Trips Trainers and the riding staff. Who knew it takes so much training to run the BEST CAMP AROUND?

Our full counselling staff arrived by dinner Monday night, and after a delicious dinner (what would Illahee be without awesome food?), we all joined for the first general orientation session of what will be a week of training and getting ready for next Sunday, opening day 2008!Stay tuned for more pictures of the week, and then be sure to check in each day for Gordon's daily updates!

Countdown to Camptime!

Countdown to Camptime!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Yesterday felt like camp had begun. There is always a "busy-ness" that comes round this time of year, and May illustrates this more than any other in a camp director's life. Brevard College has finished exams, and several of our very cute new counselors were bubbling with excitement as they stopped by just to say hello. Carol toured them around, a second tour to help get them acclimated to camp. As most counselors, they want to know the ropes so when their campers arrive, they can focus on their girls.

One of the things I love about our lives in the camp world is the opportunity to work with some of the best and the brightest. More than that, though, the optimism that comes with young adulthood trickles through to us in daily doses. I like to think that this keeps us young, though the mirror says otherwise. The world is their oyster, and energy and enthusiasm abounds. I can't wait for camp.

The physical part of camp is looking great! Brian, James and Ryan have spearheaded efforts to clean up, and it is showing off. Despite Mother Nature's big blow over the weekend and resulting limb and branch scatter, we are on track to have things ready to go well in advance of the first staff member's arrival for orientation.

We are: cutting grass, blowing driveways, pruning trees, planting flowers, finishing floors, installing doors, fixing screens, warping looms, painting showers and bulkheads, ordering food, using lots of bleach and Lysol, washing street signs, spreading white gravel, turning water on, changing smoke detector batteries, ordering helium for balloons, inspecting fire extinguishers, designing bulletin boards, delivering firewood, delivering activity supplies, and pwhew! I need to get outside and start helping again.

We can't wait to welcome you to the Heavenly World! We are going to have the BEST SUMMER EVER!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I think Mother Nature is still confused. We woke up this morning to low thirty-degree weather here in the mountains, despite the fact that the dogwood are in full bloom, the grass is green, and spring is here in full force. Could you imagine being here in your cabin when it gets that cold? Brrr!

I just returned from the barn for a quick shower to get the hay off me after helping the guys unload a full 52 foot tractor trailer truck from Michigan that was full of hay! I think there were over 700 bales of alfalfa and timothy mix so that our horses can eat as well as we are at camp. Yummy! As soon as we got the big rig out of here, David Cantrell brought his mini-excavator over and is down by the canoe lake, cutting a foot path around it so that we can walk around the lake a little easier for fishing and walking. There's another reason though...a little teaser: It has something to do with some changes to the last couple of days of camp. I'm not telling though. You'll just have to wait!

It is absolutely gorgeous in the Heavenly. The guys are busy blowing off cabin roofs, cutting grass, bush-hogging the pastures, and getting camp all spiffy. Kris and Carol are hunkered down in the office scheduling activities for all of those who have sent their online sign-ups in. That can only mean one thing! Camp is right around the corner! We can't wait. It's going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER!

Spring Break and Camp Comes Alive!

Spring Break and Camp Comes Alive!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

I love Spring! Mother Nature is trying to make her decision here in the Heavenly World. We are alternating between beautiful warm days, and cloudy, cold ones. The trees have tiny buds on them, and the grass in the pastures is greening. It's a sure sign that camp is coming when James dusts off the John Deere mower and starts to ride in those baseball-field perfect parallel lines up and down camp.

We also know spring has sprung as camp becomes a flurry of interviews and tours for prospective staff members. There are two today, and several yesterday. We have a great group of counselors (and campers) to make 2008 the BEST Summer EVER! We also were treated to a visit by 1959 thru 80s-era riflery instructor Dolly Thomas and alumnae friends Tippy Carmody and Lynn Simmons.Dolly and Skip Thomas were fixtures at Illahee for a number of decades.

Our family is back in the routine after an amazing (maybe the BEST ever) vacation to Costa Rica. Laurie is the gypsy in the family, and spends daydream time on travel websites. We got some help this time from a travel agent, and were able to see and do so much in our 12 days in central America. I think the best thing about vacation is that our family actually is able to enjoy each other free from the distractions of carpools, studying, sports schedules, and weekends with friends. Sound familiar? No cell phones, computers and T.V.s (except for the Davidson/Kansas game) added to the togetherness. Unplugged and loving life!

Now that we are back, our attention is focused fully on the Summer of 2008, less than six weeks away! We can't wait! Activity sign-ups are coming in, and we can tell by the phone calls and emails that campers are excited too! Yippee!