The 4th of July is a joyous day at camp. Campers wake to the sound of hooves trotting past their cabins as our amazing riding staff serenades them with shouts, celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. With “Proud to be an American” blasting over our PA, campers energetically ran to the dining hall for a breakfast of waffles, bacon, tater tots, and more! We need lots of fuel for a day like today. It’s go go go, and the campers and counselors kept up all day long. Rise and Shine kicked off with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin reciting bits of the Declaration of Independence. We sang a few patriotic songs, and campers went on their merry way for a fantastic day.
After a full day of patriotic-themed activities (and yummy tacos in a bag for lunch), the entire camp loaded up in buses and vans to make the three-mile journey down the road to Hannah Ford Farm. There, Gordon and Turner had been working all day in the hot sun preparing what would be the best part of the evening: a twenty-minute-long fireworks display. Before we got to that magical time, we devoured the many pounds of slow-cooked, smoked BBQ that filled the Illahee hills with sweet, sweet smells all day yesterday. The 4th of July classics of slaw, baked beans, and chips shared the plate and either a red or blue iced cookie, depending on your team allegiance.
Capture the flag was the closest and most intense match I can remember. Everyone participated in their own way, whether they were seeking the flag, playing defense, or dancing their butt off in jail. Then after a close game (we announce the winner at campfire tomorrow), everyone headed back across the road to sit on the hill, eat fresh cut watermelon, drink a cheerwine, and sit with their friends to watch the sunset and await fireworks.
The firework show was perfect. A ton of folks from the community came to watch from across the way. We’re grateful to the great crew from the Sheriff’s office and Brevard Fire Department for being there as support. It’s a beautiful sight to see hundreds of girls sit in awe, surrounded by friends, all grateful to be at camp. At the end of the show we all went home, half asleep, ready to wash off the last bits of red and blue paint before crawling into bed.
It was a joy-filled day, and it took a great team to make it happen.
In the midst of it, I was struck with a bit of mixed emotions. While leading a line dance from the back of the F150 in the middle of the capture the flag game, a camper ran up enthusiastically to show Gardner (the scorekeeper) that she had successfully grabbed the other team’s flag. She was a new camper. She’s a great camper. This time last year, she was being evacuated from Camp Mystic.
Within the joy of an amazing day, I thought of the twenty-seven young women, campers and counselors, who died tragically, a year ago. We have been fortunate to have a number of former Mystic campers join the Illahee family this summer. In an act of courage, they decided to give camp another chance and, in doing so, are helping make this community that much better. I told many of them as they gathered in my office last night, nervous about what the following day would bring, that it’s okay to feel more than one thing. They can be happy to be at a new camp with new friends, and also sad, remembering the many friends who are not here with them. They can be excited for another three weeks of camp and also nervous about getting through a day that is blurred by trauma and frightful memories.
Just as Gardner and I can hold the importance and seriousness of caring for your daughters, and the high stakes that exists in this industry in one hand, and in the other be as absolutely silly as possible, dancing our hearts out in the bed of pickup truck in the middle of a roaring game of Capture the Flag.
Growing up, I went to the beach for the 4th. We swam, we tubed, and spent time with family. There are parts that I miss. I always miss my extended family on the 4th.
Serving at Illahee alongside my much better half, however, has allowed me to be a part of something larger than myself. It’s a beautiful thing to see camp in action and to see the power that it has to transform, to grow, and in this case to heal.
Grateful for an amazing 4th of July.
I’m holding close in prayer all those families, classmates, and friends who are feeling more than one thing on this day.
Onward.
Lucas