Fun Parents
Triathlon Update
We get to see your kiddos push themselves while they’re here. For example, yesterday we had our Session 4 Triathlon where we saw our Campers swim the length of the Critter pond, bike down and back the camp road, then run all the way out to our Obstacle Course. Let me tell you, as someone who attempted this during the second session: it is no easy task. My favorite part is watching the campers shout at their peers to “keep pushing” and “keep going”. We even had a camper, Addison D. from Cedar Ridge (2nd year camper) who wasn’t participating in the triathlon but ran behind her friend while she rode her bike all the way down and back the camp road. Her counselor asked Addison what she was doing and she replied: “I’m here for moral support”. She ran all the way with her, back and down the Camp Road. It’s not just the counselors pushing the kids from their comfort zones, it’s the campers themselves! Here are the times from our 3 heats yesterday:
| Heat 1 | | Caia M. | 18:47 | Girl’s Camp First Place | | Emily M. | 19:36 | | Diane R. | 20:57 | | Vanessa C. | 28:33 | | Maddie G. | 29:13 | | Mary Caroline C. | 32:07 | | Frannie C. | 34:07 | | Sloane W. | 37:02 |
| Heat 2 | | Bo H. | 18:11 | | Cooper H. | 18:11 | | Mark K. | 19:08 | | Gwen H. | 20:34 | | Cooper L. | 20:39 | | Evan C. | 20:41 | | Caroline G. | 23:32 | | Sydney S. | 23:41 | | Anderson M. | 23:54 | | Claire H. | 24:42 | | Lucy S. | 34:12 |
| Heat 3 | | Gabriel M. | 17:18 | Boy’s Camp 1st Place | | Miguel M. | 18:24 | | Michael S. | 21:25 | | Colton M. | 21:29 | | Chris W. | 25:43 | | Dylan K. | 25:47 | | Cade C. | 30:20 |
The evening consisted of our Miss Huawni pageant, where a girl camper from each of the cabins was nominated to represent them and compete for the title of Miss Huawni! We saw some wonderful talent, personalities, and confidence from these girls last night. Our winner last night, Miss Tejas, Mary Taylor W., represented Tejas wonderfully. Her talent was creating balloon animals and when asked what her most embarrassing moment was – in front of the entire camp – she fearlessly answered. I’m not going to share the story with y’all, but I encourage you to ask her more because it really was a funny story.
Checking in at Camp
I wanted to check in with some campers while they were at activities this afternoon, so I went around and asked them how they’ve been doing at camp this week, what their favorite parts have been, or just if they wanted to tell me anything about their past week here!
To do this, I went to our pool where Sun Up was cooling off and spoke to Emma C., Ella S., Meagan R., and Payton B.. My first question to them was, “What makes camp fun to you?” and my first responses immediately were, ‘the pool!!!!!’ of course. After that initial reaction, Meagan said:
How accepting everyone is. Normally I’m super shy but whenever I come to camp I don’t feel shy.
All the girls then raved about their friends and how people here are kind to them. It made me excited for them and their friendships they’ve made at camp.
Everyone is so welcoming.
I asked them what their favorite activity we do at night is and the answers were: night swimming, the Wiffleball World Series (game 2 happening tonight!), soccer, and Capture the Flag! I was talking to a competitive group of girls, no doubt. They love the activities involving teams. It’s good to hear that Huawni is able to show these girls what healthy competition looks like!
My next question to them was: “What makes your camp friends different from your friends at home?” The girls thought this was so funny, replying: “we meet them, then have to change in front of them the next day!” They all agreed and said it was like speeding up friendships because you’re with them all the time for two weeks.
In an instant, the people in your cabin feel like your sisters
Meghan let me know she felt like all the girls in her cabin are her sisters. They keep coming back to camp so they can see those friends that are different from the ones at home.
For my last question, I asked the girls, “What are words you would use to describe your counselors?” They started shouting things out like “Nice!” “Awesome!” “Amazing!”
Payton was so happy when she thought of her answer:
They’re like fun parents! They care for us like parents and have a lot of fun with us.
To all you parents out there, you’re fun too. We just get to see them be independent here at camp and it’s the coolest thing to watch. Your kiddos feel loved and free here!