Lots Going On As We Round The Corner!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
It's been a fast-paced New Year at Camp Illahee. We've had a great time chasing Liza, who has doubled in size and is keeping Newton young. Our daughter,Gardner, turned 17 on New Year's eve and her host brother, our Argentinean exchange student has been with us since the holidays. We have been learning a lot of Spanish in our house! Last weekend we made a quick trip to Washington, DC to show him our nation's capitol. Thanks to alumna Megan Bel, we had fantastic tours of the White House and the Capitol building. We also visited the Natural History, the American History, the Native American, the Air and Space, and the Holocaust Museums- not bad for two days! By the afternoon of the second day, we were about to have a minor museum revolt on our hands, so we finished our time in the city as the sun set watching the lights come on in the Capitol and the Washington Monument. Even with Partisan politics, legislative gridlock, and mountains of bureaucracy, one can't help but get chills visiting our nation's capitol. What a beautiful city representing hope and freedom. And as we've cried watching the unspeakable tragedy unfold in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, we can't help but feel proud of our citizens for their generous gifts, and spirit of service to the people of Haiti in the midst of such suffering. The out pouring of world aid and the US leadership in the efforts is our country at its best. We need to pray for the people of Haiti and all those whose hands are helping them to heal.
In the Heavenly World, we have "broken ground" on the Heigh Ho bath house project and as soon as the snow melts and the ground thaws, we'll be ready for the foundation! Ahh, such luxury at camp...new toilets that flush! Laurie has started ordering clothing for the Ship's Store. This year we will have some new items! In addition to the Soffee shorts for the little girls, we will offer the Nike style "velocity short" for the older campers! We also will be unveiling a new Illahee logo in our t-shirt designs. Campers look out for photos and ship store items in early March and you can place your orders online! And speaking of online and designs, the new website is well underway and we are SO EXCITED about it! We can't wait for you to see it next month. You are going to have a great time exploring it. Gretchen and Maria have been working on some of the art and graphics for it, so we can’t wait to unveil it!
Gretchen has been talking with many staff members and we've had a great time interviewing a big group of Illahee girls who are now freshman in college. Many haven't been at camp since middle school or their Spark summer, and they look so different all grown up- Arrington Clark, Collier Tynes, Libby Wallin, Sara Bailey Stocks, Becca Vinson!!
And not to forget our grown up Illahee girls, the spring reunion for alumnae and staff is May 14th to 16th. Alumnae and staff over 21 who would like to find out more can go to http://campillaheereunion.myevent.com to learn all about it! We know that the reunion will be a great way to kick off the summer season and to celebrate Illahee's 90th birthday!
