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I can hardly believe that it's true, but today is our last day of camp! It's been a full and wonderful week. We've done so much in the time that we've been here: some cabins have gone to the corn maze, others have been to Sliding Rock, others have been on camP outs, and everyone has had a chance to explore the beauty of the natural world around us at Eagle's Nest.
Yesterday one of the canoeing classes headed out to the French Broad for a fantastic trip on the river. The Walks and Waterfall class teamed up with the Leadership class and took a trip to a secret swimming hole off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. And last night at Coffee House a group of the campers from the Song Writing class preformed two original songs.
Today the campers are taking classes in the morning and then we will be playing a campus wide game of Capture the Flag in the afternoon. I know that they will be excited to hear that! After dinner tonight we will have awards and then an Indian Village ceremony. The Indian Lore players will be putting on a play. During Indian Village we will honor the campers who have advanced in their skills during the week.
Cabin Library led flag raising this morning. They shared what they love about their week at Eagle's Nest. It was so wonderful that I wanted to share it with all of you:
"E" - Excitement when you first pull into camp "A" - Awesome, keep your hand up if you are awesome "G" - Giggling with friends "L" - Library of course, the best cabin ever "E" - Energy "S" - S'mores and stories on our camp out "N" - Nature, getting to spend time outside "E" - Exhausted after a long day of fun "S" - Square dance "T" - Tribes
We're looking forward to a great last day at camp!
August 13, 2009
We had a beautiful cookout on the Athletic Field last night. The morning rain helped cool everything down, and the clouds blew away leaving blue skies for the cookout. After getting our fill of burgers, dogs, corn, potatoes and dessert, we all headed to the New Lodge for a great square dance. I don't think I've ever seen so many pink boots or so many campers dancing!
Today has been another great day. After a full day of activities, several of the cabins headed off to special outings: Cabins 4 and 5 went to the corn maze this evening, cabins 10, 3 and 7 went to get ice cream at "Big Scoop", and cabins Library, 7, 8 and 9 went on camp outs. Tomorrow morning cabins 3 and Tree Tops are getting up early to go to Sliding Rock before breakfast. It's going to be chilly! August 12, 2009 - afternoon
The rain has stopped! It stopped right at lunch time and we've been able to be outside playing Tribal Stealth all afternoon. Hopefully the dry weather will continue for our cookout - YUM!
August 12, 2009 - morning
Cabin 4 led us in flag raising this morning, and their thoughts for the day including "let the wild rumpus begin" - and it did! As we were walking up the Quad from flag raising, the Cha Cha slide started blaring from the Old Lodge and all of the campers and staff members busted into a spontaneous dance party! It was a great way to begin the day!
Today is a wet day for us. The rain has been coming down pretty steadily since breakfast (it's actually stopped for now). So far the lightening is staying away, so we've been able to continue with our activities. We're hoping that it will all blow away in time for our afternoon activity and cookout. Even if it does continue, we'll be able to have our square dance today. We have local musicians and a caller coming to put on the dance. It'll be lots of fun!
August 10, 2009
Session IV is up and running at lightening speed. Yesterday was a FULL day for our campers. After check in the campers had lunch with their table families, went right in to watching activity skits and then signed up for classes. After dinner we had tribal inductions and hikes.
Today the campers started their classes. The Valley Girls class just ran by covered in mud (and gave me a big muddy hug when they did). The Walks and Waterfalls class is on a field trip to DuPont Forest. They are planning to hike to some waterfalls there. And all around campus people are playing music, making art projects, paddling boats and just having a great time enjoying this beautiful day.
Tonight the campers will be doing "Air Guitar" skits with their cabins. It's ALWAYS fun to see what they come up with. I wonder what they'll do tonight...
August 5, 2009 Today is the day - FINAL BANQUET! The campers have been waiting all session to learn the theme, and it's just been revealed: Once Upon a Brothers Grimm. The theme was revealed when the two brothers rode up on horses during our picnic lunch on Cabin 7 field. All afternoon the counselors have been busy transforming campus into a fairy tale scene and the campers have been getting into costume and preparing to step back in time and into a fantasy world. It's pretty exciting! The fun will begin in just over an hour. We're all looking for to the drama, dancing and delicous food!
August 1, 2009 I just returned from the kitchen where the kitchen staff is finishing up preparations for a LOVELY lunch: fresh pesto pasta (with basil, squash and tomatoes from our garden) and bread that was made this morning. I think that I also spied Cho-Chos. YUM!
When I returned from the kitchen, the African Drumming and Dance class met me and performed a couple of numbers before heading out to play for the rest of camp. I'm amazed by how good they sound and how much they've learned in the time that we've been here. Of course, that's true for all of the activities. The campers have been very busy learning new skills, working on projects and heading out on field trips.
Today is Saturday, which means that we have a big "all camp" activity planned for the afternoon. Tonight we'll have a cookout and then a square dance. I'm hoping that the sky stays blue so that we can spend lots of time outside today. It's beautiful today.
July 26, 2009 The days just keep getting more and more beautiful. Today it is in the low eighties with just a few clouds floating lazily by. The campers are all out the in woods playing Capture the Flag. The Natseho and Wohelo won the first game, and we've just started a second one. Hopefully the Winnesquam and Migisi will find the flag this time.
We've had a very full week of activity at camp! Many of the cabins have now been on cabin camp outs, and many of the classes have been heading out of camp for field trips. This week the rock climbers, paddlers, and X-craft classes will all be heading off on three-day trips. I know that they are all excited!
Tonight is our first Indian Village of the session. During this traditional all camp ceremony, the Indian Lore Players will act out the story of Jumping Mouse, each of the chiefs will also share words of wisdom with the entire nation, and campers will be recognized for the advancements they have made in their activities.
July 22, 2009 This morning we woke to a gentle rain fall which tapered off just in time for flag raising. Cabin 6 led a wonderful flag raising during which they encouraged all of us to be a hero for someone else. Breakfast was delicious - homemade biscuits and apple butter. The Dining Hall was filled with laughter and silly announcements (ask your campers about the giant jellyfish when you write to them). It's going to be a great day!
July 21, 2009 Session III is underway and we can already tell it's going to be a fantastic session! The weather was perfect on arrival day this past Sunday, and has stayed beautiful since. It's hard for us to believe that it's actually gotten cold enough in July for us to cuddle up under our blankets at night and put on our hats and sweatshirts in the morning.
On Sunday evening all of the campers watched as the counselors presented activity skits describing the classes. On Monday morning campers signed up for their individual classes. Campers sign up for classes by sitting down with Paige (the Camp Director), Noni (the Executive Director), Julie (the Assistant Camp Director) or Christie (the Program Director). When they meet with us, we help them select a balanced schedule that includes activities in the arts, wilderness and athletics. Once signed up, campers will continue to take the same classes for the duration of their session at camp. Occasionally a camper may switch a class if it just doesn't fit their needs, but that's rare.
After sign-ups, we got right into classes. Our first classes met yesterday afternoon and today we've had a full day of activities. It's very nice for the campers to start on the typical schedule as it helps them settle in and get used to the routine. Plus it's just FUN!
Tonight's evening activity is Tribal Hikes. During the hikes, campers will learn what tribe they are in and then go for a hike and initiation ceremony with the tribe. Once the campers are placed in a tribe, they will always remain in the same tribe. Throughout the session we will participate in several activities with our tribes. This is a very important part of camp life for many of our campers and counselors.
In addition to great weather and fun activities, we've also had terrific food this session! Last night we had "taco night" complete with fresh guacamole. This morning we had french toast made with home made bread and today we had pasta salad and fresh sour dough rolls (thanks to Cabin 7 for making the roles).
We have a busy week with lots of activities planed. Please keep checking back for up-dates and to view photos.
It's been another exciting week at camp, and BOY has it flown by! This week has been packed with activity, outings and fun. And there's more to come!
On Tuesday the X-Craft class of 13 campers and three counselors headed out for a three day trip. They started their hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway, around Sam Knob. From there they hiked down Shuck Ridge, over Pilot Mountains and Butternut Gap, finishing at the Fish Hatchery. Over the course of the trip they hiked 18 miles. When they got back to camp they were all smiles and said that they had an awesome time.
The Advanced Rock Climbers also went out for a three day trip to Linville Gorge. According to the stories they climbed "through the clouds".
There are several other outings planned for the coming week. On Monday the Advanced Paddlers will head our for a three day trip that will take them to the Tuck and the Nantahalla (home of the noon day sun). The Advanced swimmers are going to take a field trip to Hooker Falls in DuPont State Forest. The horse back riders are going to be heading out as well. Even the garden class is taking an outing to a local farm.
In camp, there's lots of activity too. Last night we had a Haunted Trail. This morning we had a surprise dance party in the Quad! This afternoon we're going to be participating in Cabin Olympics, followed by a cookout and square dance.
July 5, 2009
We had a FANTASTIC Independence Day celebration at camp! As I mentioned earlier, the kitchen staff slow cooked a huge pig for cookout on Saturday. After smelling it all day on Saturday, we finally got to dig in, and the results were delicious! In addition to the pig pickin', our picnic also included roasted corn, friend green tomatoes, cole slaw, watermelon and the best sweet tea I've ever tasted. We capped that all off with cake (decorated to look like the American flag using strawberries and blueberries) and ice cream. It's a wonder that we could actually move at the outdoor square dance! After dancing off our meal, we all headed up to the lake for a brilliant fireworks display.
This morning we got to sleep in until 8:15. I think that it was a welcome rest after a long week of activity. We had a little bit of drizzling rain this morning - just enough to get everything a little bit wet, but not enough to stop our activities.
Right now the campers are just getting ready to begin a game of Capture the Flag - a camp favorite. This afternoon Cabins Library and 6 will lead our Friendship Circle. Tonight, all of the tribes will come together for Indian Village. The Indian Lore players have prepared a wonderful story about the qualities of a good leader. It should be a greatt day and evening. July 3, 1009
It’s another BEAUTIFUL day at Eagle’s Nest. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the kids are having a great time! It's hard to believe that we've been here for nearly a week, and yet we've done so much during the past week:
The intermediate and advanced paddlers have already been on a couple of canoeing trips. The advanced rock climbers are climbing at Looking Glass rock today. Cabins 1,2,3 and 5 have all been on campouts, and Cabins 4 and Tree Tops will be heading out for campouts tonight. The musical (The Jungle Book) has been cast and the kids have already learned several of the musical numbers (they sound GREAT).
We're really excited about the July 4th weekend. The kitchen is preparing a huge feast for our cookout tomorrow. They are set to begin cooking a 160 pound pig tonight in order for it to be ready for the cookout tomorrow. They will serve it up with lots of watermelon and cup cakes. We're planning to spend the evening down on the Athletics Field and have arranged to have our square dance outside, followed by fireworks over the lake. It's going to be a fantastic day.
Session II opened yesterday morning and we're already into the full swing of things.
We were so excited to greet many returning campers and meet new ones at check in yesterday. They all seemed very enthusiastic (and just a little bit nervous) about being at camp.
The last 36 hours have been PACKED with activity. Last night the counselors put on hilarious activity skits for the campers (be sure to ask your campers about them when you write) and this morning the campers signed up for activities. At sign ups, each camper met with Paige (the Camp Director), Noni (the Executive Director), Julie (the Assistant Camp Director), or Christie (the Program Director) to individually sign up for their classes. During sign ups, we guided them in selecting a balanced schedule that included activities in each of the following categories: art, wilderness, and athletics.
After lunch campers started right in on their 3rd and 4th period classes. It was really fun to ramble around campus during classes this afternoon and to see that the campers were already engaged in activity - bringing in the horses from the pasture, paddling on the lake, sawing boards in woodworking, etc. It looked like they were all having a great time.
Right now the campers are at "Twilight" - our free choice activity time. Tonight they were able to choose to participate in arts and crafts, Ultimate Frisbee, lake canoeing, card playing or bug catching. Following Twilight we'll have a snack and then head to the Old Lodge for air guitar performances (the cabins got a chance to practice for these this morning).
Tomorrow we'll have our first full day of classes and then tomorrow evening we'll have Tribal Hikes, at which time campers will be called to join their tribes: Nateseho, Migisi, Winnesquam or Wohelo (be sure to ask your camper what tribe they are in and what they did on their tribal hike).
It was a beautiful summer day today, and we're expecting sunny skies all week!
Today marks the end of the first week of Session I, and it's been a wonderful one. I can hardly believe that we've already been here for 7 days. The time has flown by, but has also been packed with activity. Yesterday we had our first cookout of the season. Since a big thunderstorm rolled in just as it was about to get going, we ended up having it as a "cook-in" instead. The Junior Counselors did a fantastic job of making it just as fun by decorating the dining hall with colored lights. Following the "cook-in" we all went over to the New Lodge for a square dance with our local band Blue Kudzu and longtime Eagle's Nest caller Beth. The square dance was a HUGE success! I think that all of the campers danced at least one dance, and most of them seemed to dance all of them. Today has been a beautiful day - no rain and not a cloud in the sky! Of course everyone was really pleased that the rain clouds stayed away so that we could play capture the flag (which ended in a draw). Tonight we'll have Indian Village. The Indian Lore players will be putting on a play about the origins of the lightening bug. I'm sure that it will be wonderful!
Yesterday we celebrated the Summer Solstice in grand style! Our festivities centered around the theme of Apollo bringing the sun to the earth. Each of the cabins dressed as characters from Greek and Roman mythology and presented gifts of song and story to Apollo. After a procession led by the Jammin' class, we all watched the Mountain Girls perform the May Pole dance. Later in the evening, three of our Junior Counselors performed original songs that they had written in song writing class. The Black Box Theater class ended the performance part of the evening with another original performance. We capped off the evening with a bon fire on Nature Hill.
Today is another big day at camp. The PA X-craft class is going to be camping out tonight. Several cabins (Cabins Library, 1, 6, 2, 8 and 3) will also be camping out. The forecast is calling for clear skies, so hopefully all of the campers will get to do a little star gazing while they are out.
Today marks the end of the first week of Session I, and it's been a wonderful one. I can hardly believe that we've already been here for 7 days. The time has flown by, but has also been packed with activity. Yesterday we had our first cookout of the season. Since a big thunderstorm rolled in just as it was about to get going, we ended up having it as a "cook-in" instead. The Junior Counselors did a fantastic job of making it just as fun by decorating the dining hall with colored lights. Following the "cook-in" we all went over to the New Lodge for a square dance with our local band Blue Kudzu and longtime Eagle's Nest caller Beth. The square dance was a HUGE success! I think that all of the campers danced at least one dance, and most of them seemed to dance all of them. Today has been a beautiful day - no rain and not a cloud in the sky! Of course everyone was really pleased that the rain clouds stayed away so that we could play capture the flag (which ended in a draw). Tonight we'll have Indian Village. The Indian Lore players will be putting on a play about the origins of the lightening bug. I'm sure that it will be wonderful!
After a wonderful opening day, Session I is up and running! Yesterday the campers arrived, began meeting their cabin mates, and got into the swing of things very quickly. Right after lunch they started activity rotations during which they were able to take a dip in the lake (while having their swimming skills assessed), take part in some initiatives and group bonding games, create a cabin flag and begin getting to know their cabin mates. Yesterday evening they laughed as counselors presented activity skits that not only entertained, but also explained the activities that the campers would be able to sign up for. After skits we had a nice opening ceremony during which campers were able to make a wish for something that they wanted to happen for themselves during the session. We finished with our first Goodnight Circle (check out the videos from summer '08 to see an example) and then the campers went off to bed! They were all pretty worn out from a big first day at camp, so the lights went out quickly.
This morning all of the campers signed up for their activities. They also got to finish their art project, have free swim, and practice their air guitar performances (they'll be showcasing those later this week). After lunch we started classes. I had so much fun walking around camp this afternoon and watching the campers talking about what they wanted to do in their classes, etc. They all looked very happy to be in activities.
We have a scavenger hunt planned for tonight. It should be a fun time for the campers to explore campus and get to know each other better. I'm sure that it'll be lots of fun.
The weather is amazing right now - cool and beautiful! We're really enjoying the start of the session with lots of really enthusiastic campers.
Summer camp experiences broaden horizons, excite creativity, encourage positive growth and change lives! See and hear what Emma Roberts, Kerri Strug, and Lisa Loeb have to say about it! (Link will leave ENF.ORG)
