The Sari Diaries- Tuesday 8/9/16

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

While there is still plenty of camping left, I can’t help but feel reflective, nostalgic and sad. Soph-Aloaf and I have come to the conclusion that somehow, the end of camp snuck up on us more than usual with no warning. As we enter the final day of the greatest summer in Chippewa history, I am obviously feeling privileged to be writing to you all about our amazing past twenty-four hours. Here are the details…

This morning we had the last two activity periods of #TheRanch2016. Campers embraced the opportunity to ride a horse, shoot a gold at archery, climb the wall and sail around Dam Lake. Georgia S got up and around on skis and she got a shout-out at lunch for this awesome accomplishment. We definitely went out with a bang in terms of activities- campers are leaving having achieved a great deal, having learned new skills and having built upon their current talents.

We had an amazing Tan & White cheering session in the lodge at lunch followed by Pony Express this afternoon. Sarah S and Maya H started the relay from the waterfront and they were incredibly fast. From tent building to sailing to name writing and flutter kick, every single member of both the Tan and White teams helped create an intense race that was neck and neck! The Tans canoed to Watermelon Island first but the Whites were close behind. The Grand and Chief Sachems from both teams searched the island for their team’s watermelon and the drone got footage from overhead. In the end, Jessica and Helen returned to camp with their watermelon and baton first. And then the entire camp cheered for Sophie and Alexa as they ran arm in arm to the finish line. It was a wonderful sight and one that truly demonstrates the spirit behind Tan & White this summer.

After the game was over there were lots of winners to announce. The second session Honor Cabins were Circle C and Trailriders…pretty impressive cleaning skills by both of those cabins! Then the Tans and Whites circled up with their pinkies locked. Claire and Alyssa (the two Neutrals still at camp) made the big announcement that the Tans won the summer of 2016. Both teams sang the sportsmanship song, and lots of hugs were shared. It was then time for the Honor Cabins, sachems and the Tan Team to go to Cathy’s…don’t worry, everyone else got canteen :). Upon their return, the Chief and Grand Sachems jumped in the lake hand-in-hand. It was incredibly sweet! I once again have to thank them for their outstanding leadership and sportsmanship throughout the summer.

Tonight, as is tradition on the second to last night of camp, we had Request Night. There are many facets to the program and it is a camp favorite! The night began with Cliff taking requests from the audience…campers requested others to perform their talents on stage. Violet S danced to “Children,” Zoey J and Izzy S sang “A Whole New World,” Rachel G performed, and many cabins did their lip-syncs. Jolie W requested that A-Frame 2014 perform their second session lip-sync to “Rent.” I love that she remembers that specific dance from her first summer…it just goes to show what little things stick in our minds!

Once the requests came to an end, Cliff and Lisa sang the staff song which gave everyone a good laugh. At the end, we all rose as we sang “Camp Chippewa is good enough for me.” That’s when we brought the tone down a bit. Rachel G, Rachel S and Jordan H gave the Camper Farewell which was impressive and touching. They each really spoke from the heart and perfectly described in their own way how special CRC is, and what kind of impact it has on those who are lucky enough to live here each summer. Just when I thought I couldn’t be any more impressed, the Ten Year Girls got up on stage for the staff farewell. It was perfect…their words were powerful as they described their reasons behind staying at camp for all of these years. I honestly cannot remember a better Staff Farewell- their words really hit home! The night in the theater ended with a 2016 summer in review video with the request night video songs playing in the background. It was fun to watch, and was obviously sponsored by Realm 2017!

And now I am sitting in the office writing to all of you. I could go on for hours and hours about how remarkable this place is…today was as good as it gets and hopefully you got a feel for that from tonight’s post. Today I was reminded once again how unique this place is…I was reminded that this is a truly safe place for campers to grow and learn…I was reminded how fortunate we are to be the best versions of ourselves each and every day that we spend here…I was reminded today that 23 year-olds and 11 year-olds can be best friends at Chippewa…I was reminded today that the best Chippy dance moves are not dance moves at all and that’s okay…basically, I was reminded again today that I am one of the luckiest human beings on the planet. The fact that for my job I get to live ten months of the year to spend two months in a community where the important things in life are valued with people who are kind and truly care about one another is crazy. Okay, enough for now- thanks for reading!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari