48 hours in London was a quick trip. I returned late yesterday evening from a brief jaunt across the pond. Each year, we hire a dozen or so international staff to help care for our campers and our horses. Who would’ve guessed that a great place to find quality equestrian staff who ride “English” style … Continued
I had an old lacrosse coach who preached “The Lunch Bag” mentality in life. “Life is like a lunch bag,” he would say, “you’ll only get out of it what you put into it.” If that’s the case, I’ll be receiving plenty of Mucinex, DayQuil, and Tamiflu in the coming days. It has been a … Continued
I always look forward to the start of the New Year. My birthday falls on the last day of the year, December 31st, and the start of a new birth year and calendar year brings me energy and excitement. I love making resolutions and setting new goals; whether I stick to them is the hard … Continued
Despite my former role as a Pastor, Christmas and Easter were never my favorite holidays. And although it’s Illahee sacrilege to say so, the 4th of July doesn’t hold the top spot either. My favorite holiday has always been Thanksgiving. Listening to Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, watching “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” eating an outrageous amount of … Continued
Things are quiet here. Well, besides the leaf blowers. Camp is at rest, recovering from a fantastic summer and 105th reunion. Joy was abundant, and we hope and pray that this joy felt at Illahee has stayed with you when you return to those flat-lying cities. Camp is a short-term experience with long-lasting effects, and … Continued
What a weekend! I didn’t know what to expect when over 350 alumni showed up to Illahee for a weekend of joy, but it far and away exceeded my expectations. Our 105th reunion was a smashing success. We had women who first came to camp in the 1930’s all the way up to women who … Continued
One of my most significant failures within my first few years as a pastor was my attempt to start a weekly youth group. Parents were asking for it, and so I tried all sorts of things: Morning Bible studies at Bojangles, after church lunches at various brunch spots, Sunday night movie gatherings, pool parties, cookie … Continued
The two-week August session came and left quicker than I could say “Chosatonga.” Two weeks is a long time, but in the grand scheme of a camp summer, it feels like I was just getting to know these great girls. While our director team meets in the office first thing every morning, campers often stroll … Continued
Gardner and I had a day off yesterday. It’s a gift to be able to step away from the well-oiled machine of camp, knowing that those in charge will keep everything humming along in the right direction. Our team is second to none. It takes a village to make camp happen. After watching bits and … Continued
Good evening from Laurie. Gardner and Lucas are enjoying a day off and they gave me the “microphone. ” My first time for this summer 2025- a far cry from the days that Gordon and I alternated nights reflecting on the day and visiting with camp parents. Gordon and I were camp directors for 34 … Continued
