A Cool Mountain Day
July 19, 2018 by Don Gentle
We started with a cool mountain morning. It was only about 60 degrees when we woke up. I enjoyed watching the Mini II boys wander in from their cabin overnights. Several of these boys had the obvious signs of a time well had. The remnants on their shirt always tell the story. After a night of eating pita pizzas, playing around the ashen fire, and then enjoying some ‘smores, there are telltale signs of this sticky, saucy, buttery ash that clings nicely to the shirt. Anyhow, the boys made back to their cabins and ready for breakfast just before the bell.
The cool day continued all morning. It certainly allows us to enjoy some athletic time without wearing us out too much. There were many more trips in and out of camp today. Even some of our Mini II boys headed up to our own natural climbing area for a half-day trip. It sure is great watching these guys fold nicely into the session. What really impressed me was last night when several of our oldest campers paired up and made a point of heading out to the Mini II overnights for a while just to visit and hang out with the young guys. It does my heart good to see those oldest campers take a leadership role like that. They are beginning to make the turn. In another year or two they will be back here taking their own group of boys out to the shelter. It is a lesson I see time and time again. I love it.
We enjoyed a wonderful rain shower that came in right after lunch today. I really enjoy when rest hour and some rain come together in perfect timing. It cooled the air a bit more and then settled down to a calm rain for just about an hour. Our 3:00 activities were back in action right after rest hour. Just enough rain to keep everything green…and wet :).
I have a quick note for our Mini II parents. Our Four Week parents may want to chime in on your son’s first year here at High Rocks. I’m sure many of you have not thought about that in a long time. Anyhow, I know many of you Mini I parents are wondering how everyone is doing, and I hope the nightly blog and pictures give you a good sense of the daily routine of camp. In the next day or so the first letters from camp will be arriving in your mailbox. There is the possibility of the letter coming home that may worry you. So let’s talk about homesickness. It’s not a scary word. It’s all about growing up one step at a time. After 25 years here at High Rocks, I have some pretty good experience with kids and camp. That being said, a little homesickness is normal. More often than not, what you are reading in those letters today has passed and they are on to bigger heights. Remember, we are professionals. If you feel worried at all just drop us a line. Don’t forget to do the same for your son. Give him some encouraging words; tell him how proud you are and how he will be just fine. Try not to go on about how the dog misses him, or all the cool things you are doing at home. When you are learning to take some steps on your own, sometimes you stumble. It’s definitely not a reason to stop walking. Camp High Rocks is a super place to step out on your own. If you do feel like you need to give us a call, we are here to help. I will say that tonight’s canoe fill-up event with the Mini II boys will tell the story. Just check out the pictures.
As we get ready to head into the last weekend of the session, I am excited for what we have in store. Tomorrow night we kick it off with a welcomed change to the normal routine as we host a circus-themed skit night and talent show. There will be the Upper Senior Challenge. The Big Catch for our Monday fish fry, and a square dance with Keystone Camp. The rest will come up later in pictures and prose. Stay tuned.
Don