Illahee Cabins To Be Named!
Friday, April 15, 2005
One of the challenges in "sheperding" a camp with as much history as Illahee is keeping the experience fresh for a new generation of campers, but maintaining the traditions that have been so instrumental for generations of past alumnae. It has been neat to hear evolving stories from historian Gary Greene about the early years of Illahee and how recent many of those traditions that seem like they have been there forever really are. We look forward to sharing some of those "findings" with alumnae when they arrive for the 85th reunion in a couple of weeks! For some, it's hard to imagine that Illahee is not exactly as it was for them as a camper. Camp is like a suspension of time, and it is fun to come back and see that things have not changed at all. IN reality, there have been many changes at camp, and a great many have occurred in the past ten years. What's really neat is that in "camp time" a tradition can be borne in two short seasons. One new tradition that was borne out of camper and staff suggestions is that each cabin will have its own name in addition to the number that they have been known by for some years! We have spent the last year polling campers and staff and have decided that Hillbrook will be insects, Heigh-Ho, flowers, and Pineview, trees. All of the cabins on a certain hill will be named in alphabetical order, so it will help us all get used to the new names. The numbers will stay there too, so nobody gets lost!
Associate Director Gretchen Greene and Gordon's mom have been busy painting new cabin signs. Gretchen has been doing the lettering and "mom" paints whatever design goes on the sign. They are looking pretty cute. We think everyone will enjoy the new names.
Gordon and Soup have just finished the new ceramics deck off of firefly (speaking of names). It is going to be terrific! We will position the three new potter's wheels out on the deck and girls will be able to enjoy the view over the soccer field as they throw amazing clay creations. Danny and James have been busy with the chainsaws and blowers, getting those last fallen branches up from our hurricane visitors last fall. Camp is looking beautiful. Next project-adding elements to the new section of the high ropes course. There's a lot to getting ready for camp! We can't wait!
The Illahee Swirl is as good as we remember it! A beautiful day after several of rain beckoned the Strayhorn family out to the Pisgahs for a hike in Sycamore Cove today. The day was gorgeous with forsythia blooming, blue skies, and the hint of spring right around the corner. After a quick four mile loop, we noticed a few cars at Dollys and had to stop to say hello. Gardner and Laurie sampled Illahee Swirl and Carolina Cha Cha and said it tasted better than ever! Dollys reopening is a sure sign that camp is right around the corner!
This past week, the kids were on spring break, and we spent a fabulous week in Copper Mtn., CO skiing. We missed winter here in the Carolinas, so it was nice to have a week of fun in the snow. We went with our friends from Camp High Rocks and skiied every day until our legs were on fire. I was lucky to escape with no injuries as last year on the next to last day of skiing I was run over by a snowboarder who broke my collarbone.
While we were gone, Soup, Jimmy and James started to get the platforms up in the new poles on the high ropes course. Noted ropes course designer Mike Fischessher will return to help us design and build 6 new elements for a total of 10 in addition to the Beanstalk climbing tower. Tomorrow, we will start on the new covered porch for ceramics to house the 3 brand new electric wheels. Rachel Westbrook will return to head our ceramics program. We have a terrific staff shaping up with one of our best leadership teams ever. With girls from 35 states and 5 foreign countries and the best staff ever, Illahee's 85th is certain to be the best ever.
