The Sari Diaries- Friday 7/31/15

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

I am writing tonight full of pride for the six decades of camp that we celebrated today. It was Ten Year and honoring Samantha Schwartz, Jane Fox, Taylor Newmark, Claire Schwartz, Alyssa Rosenbaum and Dori Greenberg was incredibly special. Between the six of them, they have displayed an amazing amount of love, care and loyalty to CRC. Throughout the day, they each ate their favorite Northwoods meals, participated in numerous activities and sat on the stage in the Little Theater as they were showered with speeches, songs, poems and gifts. As I watched them enjoying literally every second of their day, I was reminded of their time as campers. It wasn’t so long ago that they were Colt Villagers running around camp wide-eyed and thinking that everything camp had to offer was new and exciting. Since 2006, I have had the opportunity to watch these girls grow from cutest campers into Wrangler Village leaders into outstanding staff members who are the wheels that make this camp run. They deserve nothing less than an entire day dedicated to their commitment to this land on Dam Lake that we call home each summer.

It was cool to watch campers doing activities with the Ten Year Girls…they were cheering them on as they climbed the wall and were so excited to welcome them back to the ski docks post the traditional Ten Year Girl ski run. In tennis, the Junior team got to hit with them and it was all very sweet. In the theater tonight, it became even more evident how much these six Chippies are loved, and what an impact they have made on our community. Though the program ran long, I loved chatting with some of the younger campers about their future Ten Years. Campers from Timber Walk told me that they “only have six more summers and that will be so easy to make.” Others were asking questions about the current Ten Year girls…wanting to know what they were like as campers. The atmosphere in the theater was one of admiration and adoration and it was the perfect way to end a fantastic day!

It is definitely clear that the Ten Year Girls felt the love. Claire Schwartz just left the office after raving that “Everything about this day was my favorite,” and that “It was just one of those days that reminded me why I love this place so much.” Those are the comments that make me smile and reaffirm what a unique place we have the privilege of living in each summer. I vividly remember my Ten Year when my counselor (whose daughter is now at camp) made a surprise appearance. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a day that will forever be ingrained in their brains and hearts.

While today was also jam-packed with camper accomplishments at #TheRanch2015, I will save those stories for tomorrow. Tonight’s Sari Diaries is officially dedicated to our six Ten Year Girls who mean the world to this camp and to me personally. I am so grateful to have spent the past ten summers with them and as we sing in the “Welcome Chippewa” song, we thank them “For their service and their friendship too.” For all the goodness that they embody and for living the creed each day at camp, we appreciate them!

Okay, thanks for reading…have a wonderful evening!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari