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
One month until Opening Day! Camper forms, activity sign-ups, and store orders have been submitted and we are putting the final touches on summer planning. As we approach camp, we thought it could be helpful to share some FAQs and tips to help you prepare for THE BEST SUMMER EVER! Insider Tips-Packing for Camp Here … 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
Happy news from our house and the farm: power was restored late Saturday! 9 days without power will make you appreciate it. I had ventured over to camp to check on some things and turn on our cooler. When I got back, I noticed the fuse on the pole serving the farm was back in … Continued
For those of you who have seen the horrific images from our area, you can imagine our surprise when the power came back on at camp Wednesday evening late. My wheels started spinning, and I immediately went to the kitchen and fired up our walk-in cooler and freezer and the ice machines. By yesterday, we … Continued
Helene was some storm. I measured 20.75 inches of rain over a 3-day period at the farm. The big fields along the river where we play Capture the Flag were completely under water and moving fast and all roads were under water too. As any camper who has been on a trip out of camp … Continued
