Last week was our camp for 9 to 12 year old campers.   This is always one of our best attended camps of the year.   It was also special for us because it is the week our daughter, Rose (who, at almost 11 has decided she now wants to be called ‘Ro’), gets to be a camper.  Her best friend from ‘down state’ Kendyl, came up to be a camper with her, too.  In addition, my mother-in-law came up to visit us last week and stayed with us in a building we call the staff house.  She had a relaxing time, and shed a few tears when she had to leave on Saturday. 

The week of camp went very well; we still have had minimal injuries or sickness the entire summer.  Our speaker, Rick Messana, is a good friend from Livermore Falls, Maine.  We have done a lot of ministry together over the years, and he was excellent as usual.  I did the morning services, and I finally felt like I was ‘in the zone’ with my juggling each morning.  More importantly, several of the kids talked to me about the things they had learned, and just as importantly, the fun they were having.

The weather was beautiful all week, which allowed us to have a full assortment of activities including: swimming, rock climbing, zip line, crafts, kickball, frog catching, low ropes, and slip and slide (My favorite.  I think I set a camp record, going 91 feet on a 60 foot tarp.  The grass got wetter and soapier, and we were all zooming through the muddy lawn.  Unbelievable!) 

I don’t want to count any proverbial chickens yet, but this may be the smoothest summer of camp and the best group of counselors since I’ve been the director.