The Camp Cup! Illahee Brings it Home...

The Camp Cup! Illahee Brings it Home...

Thursday, January 31, 2008

The trophy came home last night after a year's hiatus. The venerable Camp Cup, the pinnacle of bowling success in Brevard, NC, was won last night in a multi-round "bowl-off" between Illahee, Keystone Camp, a new-comer to the tournament, and arch-rival Camp High Rocks.

The evening started with a friendly pizza feast at Pinecrest at Illahee, where team members couldn't help but talk a little "trash" to opposing teams. Friends all, many of us prepared for the event by googling things like "how to keep score in bowling," and "is advil better than tylenol to prevent bowling injuries." From more than twenty bowlers on the three teams, it came down to Kris Campbell and James Robinson representing Illahee in the final game "bowl-off." An exciting game, Kris' consistency and James' dancing ball cinched it for Team Illahee. Kris was jubilant with the victory. "I was a little nervous because Carol (Twinkle-Toes) was out interviewing staff prospects at Davidson College. We rely on her a lot. But, in the end, we brought it home! Woo-hoo!" The Camp Cup is Brevard's premier January's-end bowling event. By invitation only, it pits "off the shelf" bowlers from area camps against each other in a fun-filled two-hour event.

Let IT Snow!

Let IT Snow!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

It's still dark outside though it's after 7:00 am. I have been up for about an hour now, alternating between getting some coffee brewing, and walking across the living room to the corner of the house where the eave lights are bright...to see what's coming down. The weather gurus got it right this time, and it seems like we have had a long spell without snow. But, it is coming down now, and snow fell for most of the night. There is nothing more beautiful than camp in the new fallen snow.

Our kids had a half-day today, and both were hopeful that it would become a full day as they saw the big mass of pink and white approach western North Carolina on the radar screens. They were so confident last night before they went to bed that Gardner, our fifteen year-old daughter did not practice her C.S. Lewis "declamation" speech that she has been working on for more than a month...one more time in anticipation of its "end of semester" recitation today. It will have to wait until next Tuesday when we return from the break.

We have rounded the corner into 2008, and we are busy with staff hiring. If early indications hold true, we are going to have the best staff and sunmmer ever. There are lots of folks who have signed up for another summer, and some great new Illahee friends as well. If you know of a college-aged person who would make a great Illahee staff member, let us know. In the meantime, enjoy Illahee in the snow!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

I sat down to date some correspondence this morning, and 2008 seemed oddly out of place. Didn't camp just end? On New Year's Eve, our daughter Gardner turned fifteen, and we will soon be starting down the road (literally) toward more responsibility and independence as she acquires her driver's permit. I am forever an optimist, and I rarely find myself looking back at "what was." But, the years do seem to be going by faster, which does have its benefits as we turn the corner toward my favorite season, summer and CAMP!

Global warming predictions aside, the weather is usually mild until January in Brevard. Our kids were supposed to return to school this morning, and were hopeful (and delighted) when Old Man Winter threatened snow. About 5:00 am, Gardner opened our door to report that school was "called," and we all added an extra hour of sleep to our recovery from the holidays.

Our family was away for Christmas. We left on a cruise from New Orleans on the 23rd with Laurie's mom and dad and her brother and her family. It was a little wierd being away from home on Christmas, and especially in the 80 degree weather of the western Carribean (off of Honduras), but we enjoyed time with family. The picture posted here belies the energy that exudes from all of the young men in the photo. Our nephews are eight and full of energy...all the time...times three! Whenever I think parenting pressure is ramping up for us, I think of them. Pwhew! Grace is an Illahee four-weeker, and camp is her respite from all things "male."

The New Year will bring our focus closer to 2008, the BEST SUMMER EVER! We will continue in earnest the important work of finding the very best staff out there to insure that each camper has an awesome experience at camp. We already have an amazing staff coming together. It won't be long before you get your "get ready for camp" packet this spring and are signing up for activities. On Monday, we mailed your health and permission form, so that you will have plenty of time to schedule a doctor's appointment if needed. Happy New Year and THINK CAMP!