Two Week Energy
Our first two-week session is underway and we could feel the energy roll through campus as our Session 2 campers arrived. So many little moments marked our first day of Session 2. Campers sprinted across Flagpole Hill to claim their cabin bunks. Boy campers “ooed” and “awed” at the new boys bathhouse. Huawni alumni parents reunited as they enjoyed their annual drop off tradition. First-time camper moms and dads sweetly embraced their campers before leaving….tears welling up in their eyes. I got to see a lot of joy today from a lot of people, for which I am grateful.
There are a lot of moving parts to Opening Day, and my hope is that your check in was a smooth one. We would love to hear more about your Opening Day experience by commenting below this blog. As I shared with a handful of you today, we had several logistical bumps before we opened the gates. That tends to happen and we are continuing to learn how to not sweat the small stuff. 2:25pm came and it all came together. We have an amazing Huawni Staff and none of it could have happened without them. I’m especially proud of Juanse (Director of Operations) and Kelsey (Women’s Staff Director) for continuing to lead by example and make Opening Day what it is. Juanse has a gift for ordering things and putting processes in place. Kelsey has the gift of encouragement. Both got to use their gifts today. That was cool.
I really enjoyed getting to see all of you who came to tour the Boys Bathhouse. My favorite quote of today was, “this thing is like a spa!”.
Homesickness
For a handful of you, it was your first time to drop your child off at sleepaway camp. This can understandably be a very nerve racking and emotional event. As hard as it is, we believe that homesickness is great opportunity for growth. Why is this so? I encourage you to read these two blogs I’ve written based upon the book Homesick & Happy by Michael Thompson.
Homesick & Happy Intro
Homesick & Happy Chapter 1 – Off They Go
Staying in touch with your camper and camp pics
We highly encourage you to utilize letter writing as well as sending your camper emails through your CampInTouch login. Camp is a great opportunity to communicate with your child in a whole new way, and if you happen to write and/or receive a letter from your child, you will likely be blown away, laugh, and cry all at the same time. Also, be sure to log into your CampInTouch account to see the photos we will be posting daily. And finally, be sure and subscribe to our blog page by going here and clicking on the subscribe via email blue button.
Parent Book Club
One of the biggest benefits to camp for your campers is unplugging from the busyness of life and connecting with mother nature. Again this summer for our Huawni Parent Book Club I will be blogging on the the book Last Child in the Woods. This book has great research about the benefits to our kids being in nature. To get a free copy of the book, go here and reply at the bottom of the blog. I look forward to learning together.
We are so excited and honored to be spending the next two weeks with your children. Our desire is that they will leave our gates in two weeks better knowing their true significance and purpose. Let’s go!!
-Travis
