A Time for Thanksgiving

A Time for Thanksgiving

Friday, November 21, 2008

I have almost sworn off watching the news of late. You'd think we were falling apart listening to the pundits predict the decline of America as we know it. I'm not underestimating the struggles that many of our friends and neighbors are enduring from an economy in recession, but from where I sit, our future continues to be bright.

For those of you who are already part of the Illahee family, you know that camp is ALL about highlighting the things that make this country and each one of our children the greatest on earth. First we eschew the fads that are so rampant in society of late in favor of a more relaxed, simpler time. Camp is about relationships, and the Illahee family continues to bring together the best and the brightest, both campers and the staff who are their role models. A camp day is active and carefree with lots of sunshine, great food, and friendships. What an antidote to the rest of the world. In times of struggle, there is no better place to be than in the Heavenly World. We look forward to having your camper with us in 2009, the BEST SUMMER EVER!

We have been busy at camp. There are lots of projects going on. The swim lake is filling back up, and has a thin layer of ice on it from a cold snap that blew through last night, taking the last of the fall color with it. We are getting plans together to spruce up the docks and shores around the swim lake, with tree work and limbing to make it even better than in year's past.

Our fall road tour has officially ended, but we will likely schedule more dates after the new year to see girls in cities that we have missed, like Orlando and Tampa. It has been such fun to see so many excited girls ready for camp at these showings. Enjoy the pictures, and most of all, let's all be thankful this Thansgiving season for the love we all share at our dear Camp Illahee!

Three Shows in One Night!

Three Shows in One Night!

Saturday, November 08, 2008

The only thing more fun for me than getting to see Illahee girls in their home cities as we tour the country with our dog and pony show is greeting them as they drive in the camp gates on opening day. Tomorrow I leave for Dallas for a showing at the Mongers and then I am on to Houston on Monday night. I'll be back in the Heavenly World sometime Tuesday morning...a quick trip covering a lot of miles. People often ask us why we still travel even though camp fills our summer sessions pretty early. One of the reasons is to treat the campers who come to the showings to the brand new highlights DVD from the summer of 2008. Most of our campers "live and breathe" camp, and the showings become a reunion between city camp friends. We encourage girls who are too young to come to camp, but who may be thinking about it for a subsequent summer to attend, meet other families, ask questions, and get excited about Illahee!Tomorrow (Sunday), we have a triple play going on! Gretchen is at the Pollocks in Nashville, I'll be in Dallas, and Laurie will be in Asheville at the Tindalls!

The fall leaves have hit their peak and James is busy with his blower. The other camps in the area always joke that we sit around and catch the leaves as they fall since Illahee is always spotless! It was a particularly beautiful fall, and the colors lingered a little longer than usual (hey that reminds me of a song). We are already starting to talk to your favorite staff members about returning for another great summer in 2009...the BEST SUMMER EVER!