This was my first Fourth of July out at Camp Huawni and it was one of the most high-spirited nights I’ve had in a while. Talking to the Women’s Director, Kelsey Biscoe, I learned she hasn’t had a Fourth away from Camp in 11 years! It is just too good here to spend anywhere else.

Events of the Night

Our walk out to Huawni Pond was lined with red, white, and silver stars on the ground that led us to the cookout happening a short walk away from main camp. Arriving out there, the stars were spread all over the ground, we had hotdogs grilling, a face painting booth, a photo booth (check your CampInTouch photos – they’re up!), multiple yard games set up, and to top it off we opened up the canoes & paddle boards for campers to experience all aspects of Huawni Pond! Usually, H-Pond has a pretty substantial breeze that runs through the pines, but for some reason last night that breeze didn’t show up for Independence Day… It was pretty hot last night, but everyone was able to find some shady spots to eat and enjoy the night!

We had opportunities for the counselors to show off their competitive side with canoe & paddle board races and later in the night – a watermelon eating contest! There were no rules last night during the races, so the counselors and CIT’s (counselors in training) that competed were able to tip each other over or try to knock the paddles out of each other’s hands. After some friendly yelling, the CIT team won the canoe and paddle board races!

The watermelon eating contest seemed like a classic Fourth of July activity. We had 5 counselors compete, as well as Travis himself! Jonas, the boy’s Cane Brake counselor, came in first place. As much fun as eating contests can be to watch, it took a toll on some of the counselors.

We ended the night with some fireworks set off across Huawni Pond (which made the most beautiful reflections in the water)! Listening to country music while watching a fireworks show is the best way to end the night that I could imagine. It was a long day, filled with morning camp activities, the second part of the Wiffleball World Series (3-0 Caddo & 3-1 Tejas), and then our cookout!

Things don’t slow down today, with All Day Tribal Competition happening the kiddos are very much giving it their all! We’ll give you updates tomorrow with how that all plays out today, but I can tell you that there are a bunch of campers that may scream so much their voices could be gone tomorrow. As I’m typing this, I hear “CADDO, CADDO, CADDO” chanting outside by the pool! Be back tomorrow with updates.