The Sari Diaries- Monday 6/18/18

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

The day that we have all been waiting for is here- #TheRanch2018 has officially begun and we are off to an amazing start. For the past 300 days or so, the Chippewa community has been counting down to today…to the start of another summer on Dam Lake…to the start of another summer full of making new friends and strengthening existing friendships…to the start of screaming in the Adler Lodge at the top of our lungs…to the start of sitting around the Center Fire Circle as a camp family…and to the start of what will undoubtedly be the best summer of our lives. As I write to you tonight, I am full of excitement and optimism. Though this is just the beginning, that feeling is already in the air at CRC- you know what I’m talking about- that feeling that you can only experience during the eight weeks of summer at this place we call home.

As the buses rolled in at about 2:57pm, the excitement of #TheRanchStaff2018 was palpable. “We Welcome You To Chippewa” was sung loud and proud as the campers got off the buses and jumped into their counselors’ arms. We headed to the Center Fire Circle to announce cabins and each cabin headed off to begin their summer together. Throughout the afternoon, there was unpacking, bonding games and tours. For dinner, we had spaghetti and meatballs- the traditional first night dinner. Lakeview began their role as leaders of the camp by going around to each cabin’s table and singing their cabin song with them. The energy was high and the Adler Lodge was LOUD!

Tonight we had our Opening Friendship Fire. We sang “Walking” and “The Circle Game,” heard from a couple of staff members about the significance of CRC in their lives and handed out Growth Coins to each of the new campers. Dylan G was selected by Dylan L as the winner of the Chippy Trivia Quiz so the entire cabin of Horseshoe gets a trip to Cathy’s. The campfire concluded with Jen’s famous brownies…what could be better?!

After the campfire, food parties and cabin bonding ensued. I loved seeing the connections between cabinmates already forming. When I got there, Rafter ^ X was enjoying flashlight time. It was the perfect camp scene- I could see the lights from outside and as I got closer, I could hear their whispers and laughter. When I walked in, they were expressing their pride in how organized and clean their cabin was…and it was pretty impressive!

There you have it- day one is in the books. If today is any indication of how the rest of the summer will play out, we are in for a good one. I want to thank you all for taking the time to read about our first day…I am looking forward to writing to you each night for the next eight weeks…but don’t worry, Soph-Aloaf will still be the Thursday evening blogger :). Have a great night!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari

PS Be sure to check out the photos on Camp in Touch from our day!