This morning, our Pineview Campers helped lead worship. Time at the Woodland Chapel together is sacred for me. I took an extra moment today to pray. I’d be lying if I said the tragedy at Mystic hasn’t affected me. Whenever I saw a camper today, I gave thanks to the Lord that they are smiling … Continued
The final day always feels surreal. How did we get here? Where did the time go? Somehow, all the magic, the sliding rock trips, the campfires, the meals, the dance parties, the hikes, paddles, climbs, and more… everything went by like the blink of a firefly. The morning began with all the performances from our … Continued
Today began as all Sundays at Illahee do: A late wakeup bell, and hundreds of campers meandering their way to the dining hall for donuts, cereal, and breakfast casserole. Adorned in their PJs, some holding their favorite stuffed animal, they sat around tables, recounting stories from the first week of camp. Our bodies are tired, … Continued
When I was a pastor, Easter marked the culmination of busyness and a moment to celebrate not just the resurrection of Jesus but also to look forward to the slower season of summer, when many parishioners traveled and most church programming grinded to a halt. As you can imagine, working at a summer camp, Easter … Continued
On my drive home after picking up Jasper from daycare, three shadows in the middle of the soccer field at camp caught my eye. I pulled into the main drive to see three deer, all of them does, popping up their heads to stare me down, seemingly frustrated that I had interrupted dinner. Overtaken by … Continued
I remember watching a TED Talk once where the expert presented how her research has shown a simple and effective way to improve happiness and joy in our daily lives. Leaning forward with the anticipation of uncovering this magic pill to improve my life, I was surprised to hear that all we had to do … Continued
“He’s Got the Whole World, In His Hands” While standing precariously on the back of Illahee’s Dodge Dump Truck, balanced atop four 300-gallon IBC water containers, I heard in the distance the strumming of a guitar and the soft singing of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Anyone who has grown up in … Continued
Illahee is the perfect place for girls of all ages. Whether it’s your first step on our beautiful campus or your thousandth, “you are an Illahee Girl!” However, during our three- and four-week sessions, we’re excited to introduce several activities exclusively open to our oldest campers, rising 8th grade and above! We’re stoked to expand … Continued
Camp Illahee is looking for awesome staff. Or should I say AWE-some staff? Because when we say “awesome” we mean staff who are capable of experiencing and generating that remarkable feeling of awe. “Awe” makes me think of camp. I think of our campers and our staff. My favorite definition is: “an emotion we experience … Continued
Time is a funny thing. There are days in this job that feel like an eternity: Days where the activity periods trudge by slower than our 15-year-old lab Liza moves across camp. Yet some weeks fly by quicker than you can say, “Magdalena Hagdelena.” Somehow this paradoxical movement of time happens simultaneously. Three months ago, … Continued
