“Uhhhh…. I’ve never done this before.”  During so much of the summer, directors are constantly looking many steps ahead, planning for future sessions while current ones are happening. The beauty of Junior Camp is that there’s nothing more to look forward to, and as we finish the summer strong, we can be fully present with … Continued

Opening day is always fun, but for our one-week session, filled with so many first-time campers, it’s especially exciting. Everything is new. From the towering Hemlock and Poplars on the drive in, all the way down to the Illahee White uniforms worn by our smiling counselors, excited to greet them. Everything is new; Everything is … Continued

The final day schedule is a little different. After a breakfast of gooey cinnamon rolls and the crunchiest bacon, everyone gathered in the Rec Lodge for an extended Rise and Shine. Beyond the typical singing and announcements, all the performing arts activities took the stage to strut their stuff for all of camp. Glee Club, … Continued

I walked out of my house at 6:45 this morning, and the thermometer read 57 degrees! These are my kind of days. Chilly enough at breakfast to warrant a sweatshirt, breezy enough to keep your hair unkempt, and warm enough by midday to jump in the swim lake. Today we celebrated Christmas in July! Counselors … Continued

Growing up, I spent a week every summer in North Myrtle Beach. It was the Jones family reunion. First cousins, second cousins, aunts, uncles, folks who I thought were family, but only learned later they were just friends who felt like family. Evenings were filled with good food, and at some point, the stereo would … Continued

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is … Continued

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 … Continued

The final day of camp is a crescendo, building to the exultation of a final-night banquet and the reflective stillness of final campfire and wishboats. It builds slowly, with our amazing dance and gymnastic performances in the morning. Following those jaw dropping shows, there was a final choice period where the swim lake was quite … Continued

There’s a popular parenting trend to avoid telling your kids what not to do. Rather than saying “Jasper, don’t hit your baby sister,” you could say “Jasper, please use kind hands.” In my experience, in both cases, Ruthie usually gets a love tap from her brother. There’s truth to nearly all parenting advice, but for … Continued

On my lengthy, 300-yard commute to work this morning I took a moment in the misty, much needed rain, to take in the view. All along the driveway the green of our temperate rainforest is peppered with flashes of pink and purple, thanks to our many wildflowers, mountain laurel, and mostly Rhododendron. Rhododendrons are near … Continued