Rain = Sunshine on Session 2 Opening Day
By the looks on our Campers faces, you would have thought it was all fun in the sun here at Session 2 Opening Day. It just happened to be pouring down rain, but that did not slow down the enthusiasm of our Session 2 Campers. About 1:30pm it began to rain. We were hoping for a open gap for it to slow down, but by 2:20pm there was no end in sight…so we opened the gates. What ensued was one of the smoothest AND wettest opening days in recent history. I want to say thank you to all our parents who just rolled with the punches. Many of our parents who grew up at Huawni seemed to hit the rain right in stride like they were Campers again. That was neat to see. Also, a big kudos to our Huawni Staff and Directors who helped coordinate the largest Opening Day in Huawni History. We packed in 175 campers. We are so full that our Women’s Staff Directors had to sacrifice their cabin just to fit the oldest boys into Camp!! At 5pm campers gathered in the Dining Hall for our favorite meal— Ms. Ada’s famous, famous, MOST FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN!! I love seeing Ms. Ada on Opening Day— she was so excited today, and there was a buzz in the kitchen as some parents even went back to meet Ms. Ada and get pro tips on how to best fry chicken. Also, I want to thank all of our parents who worked with us on getting your kiddos in their desired cabin. We are definitely not perfect, so thank y’all today for being patient as we tried to do our best with last minute cabin assignment changes!
Tonight Campers just wrapped up our Opening Night Show and are now in their cabins having their very first cabin time. Cabin time is just a fun time for Campers to hang out after showering and before lights out. Tonight your Camper’s cabin Counselors will be going over campus guidelines and dreaming up bucket lists (special activities and fun outings they’d like to do before session’s end).
Familiar Faces
Part of what makes this session fun for me is getting to see parents that I grew up at Camp with drop off their kids. It’s like I’m getting to see a legacy being passed on right before my eyes.
Running Deer
This session kicks off our first group of Running Deer Campers. The Running Deer Program was started a few years ago— it’s essentially a special summer for our 10th and 11th grade campers where they’ll get unique experiences, more responsibility, and begin to process bigger life questions as they get closer to college. Today they were pitching in by helping to carry trunks….we love this group!!
Homesickness
For many of you, it was your first time to drop your child off at overnight 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. 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 growing in ways they’ve never had the opportunity to grow before. Again this summer for our Huawni Parent Book Club I will be blogging on the the book Unschooling Rules. Although the title of this book hints at being about education, it also gives an insightful look at how our kids learn and grow. It’s very relatable to the Camp experience, and you can check out our first Summer Parent Book Club post here.
We are so excited and honored to be spending the next two weeks with your children. Two weeks at Huawni is like 3 or 4 months in the real world relationally. We always say the days are long, but the weeks are so short! Our desire is that your child would leave our gates better knowing their true significance and purpose. Our hope is that you will tangibly see this while during the session (through letters, pictures, blogs, etc.) and when you pick them up on Closing Day. Here we go!
What was your favorite part about Opening Day? Comment below!
