The Sari Diaries- Monday 6/20/16

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

Happy first day of camp! I am so excited to be writing to you tonight after an incredible day filled with hugs, laughter and fun. We could not have asked for a better first day at the greatest place on Earth and I am now sitting down to give you the full report…

Campers began arriving in the early afternoon and the anticipation continued to build until the buses arrived just before 3pm. As they rolled into camp, staff and campers already at camp were singing, “We Welcome You To Chippewa.” Campers poured off the buses with big smiles on their faces ready for the summer of their lives. We all headed to the Center Fire Circle where campers learned who their counselors and cabinmates were. As tradition dictates, when Lakeview was called, they circled up to sing their cabin song for the first time. It was awesome!

Dinner was crazy- the food was obviously delicious and the cheering was LOUD. I heard from one Blackfoot camper (Lily G) that the spaghetti at dinner was the best she has ever had. That’s pretty impressive but is no surprise coming out of the new Chippewa kitchen. Towards the end of the meal, Lakeview went from table to table singing cabin songs. We rounded out the cheering with “A Chippewa Girl” before Cliff began announcements.

Tonight was the Opening Friendship Fire which, as always, was the perfect way to kick-off the summer. We had a Piccolomini contest won by Ari Kohn, we sang “Walking” led by the first year JCs, the new male staff did “I See A Bear” with Cliff, we held the Chippy Trivia Quiz raffle which was won by Sydnie K (yay for Boots who gets to go to Cathy’s) and we threw in keylogs to connect all of the cities represented at camp this summer to Chippewa. After all of that excitement, the second year JCs brought out Jen’s Famous Brownies for dessert. Needless to say, the entire camp was in heaven!

After the campfire, Soph-Aloaf and I had the opportunity to walk around to cabins to check-in and hang out. Every cabin had some good bonding going on but I want to relay just a couple of highlights. In Cactus, we played an impromptu interview game where each camper and counselor had to answer three different questions. The questions were completely random but that made things unique and funny. Our stop in Wagon Ridge was pretty interesting as well. We walked into them playing a game called “Zoomie,” which they were VERY enthusiastic about. We were then asked if we wanted to take a picture in their homemade photobooth. You can see from the photo that they even had props…it was good stuff!

There is plenty more to share but I figure I should save something for the next eight weeks of nightly blog posting. The bottom line is that this was an outstanding first day at camp. Campers and staff are already in the Chippy spirit and this community is clearly on the path to a successful summer. I am feeling lucky to be a part of this crew…CRC is currently full of positive characters who will create memories, form friendships and foster a culture of kindness. I could not be more excited to be a part of this summer at Chippewa and I am looking forward to giving you all a glimpse into the #TheRanch2016!

Thanks for reading tonight- have a good one.

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari