The Sari Diaries- Sunday 8/5/18

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe I’m writing you tonight with only four more sleeps left at #TheRanch2018. This summer has flown by and I am starting to get sad that before I know it, I will no longer be living life on Dam Lake. I woke up early this morning with a feeling in my stomach that I once felt as a young camper at the beginning of camp…it felt like homesickness. What I quickly realized was that the feeling was the opposite of homesickness- it was a feeling of sadness that I get at the end of each summer but that seems to be just a little bit more painful this time around. It isn’t that I don’t love home- my family and friends are amazing- but as Eliza M expressed tonight at the campfire, there is a certain feeling that is indescribable that all of us Chippies get when we are here…it can’t be replicated anywhere else.

As long as I was up early, I headed to breakfast to be the first in line. Much to my surprise, even though it was 7:50am…almost a full hour before first call…there were already three campers waiting! Sophie B, Julia E and Maddie B were clearly excited for the final Sunday morning breakfast of the summer. It was nice to hang out with them, and as more and more campers came down to wait, the fun grew. I enjoyed a delicious omelette made by Cliff with a cheesy crust as well as a Ruth’s Special pancake…it was quite the breakfast!

After breakfast we had cabin activities that were planned by each counseling team. I visited the Lemonade Stand at the top of the hill that was organized by the cabins of Silverspurs, Lucky-X and Circle C. The price was high as I had to show them one Chippy Dance Move in order to get my lemonade :). Copper Stripes, Rafter^X and Wagon Ridge also did some age group bonding- they had a mini color war. They played sandstorm and had a mock-Songfest. Their counselors were the neutrals and the campers got very into it! I also got to see the campers and counselors from Cactus sailing together. They looked like they were having the best time…that actually seemed to be true of everyone this morning!

This afternoon the entire camp headed to the stables to watch the 2018 Chippewa Rodeo. The four most advanced riders in camp put on a show and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Grace F, Carly M, Molly L and Maddie K completed an insane course that included five jumps! I took horseback riding for the first time this summer and I think it is such a cool activity…I hope one day I can be a part of the Senior Saddle Club and participate in the Chippewa Rodeo! Tonight, the 2018 Miss Rodeo was announced. Cliff and Lisa explained that this is the longest standing award at Chippewa, and that it recognizes a person who is not only a fantastic horseback rider but also someone who exemplifies a true commitment to the Chippewa riding program. I was so excited when they called Carly M to the stage to receive this award that I know she truly deserves!

And then my day was made…Talia S convinced Cliff, Lisa, Sari and Sophie to do an ALL CAMP CATHY’S! We loaded the vans and enjoyed ice cream at the world’s greatest ice cream shop. I was in a van with fourteen other people (too many to name) but we were all telling Carter H how amazing the Cathy’s experience is. It is her first summer, and while she has had Cathy’s ice cream at Chippewa, the taste is even better when you are sitting on the Cathy’s deck. I got brownie s’more and is was delicious!

Before the evening program, we had a special campfire because nine of the girls in Lakeview are leaving tomorrow. It is so sad but they have to go because their high school sports start before camp ends! The nine of them gave speeches that described their camp career and it was so cool to hear what they had to say. Some of them gave advice to us younger campers, they all thanked their counselors for being great role models and they each shared an anecdote or two about moments in their camp career that helped mold them. There were lots of tears and I can understand why- Samantha S explained that “Growing up at this special place has taught [us] to be comfortable in [our] own skin.” And Reese L so perfectly stated that “At camp, trying something new is expected and failure is accepted.” All of the speeches were incredible and I feel so lucky to have shared my camp experience with these Lakeview campers!

Tonight was Chippy Awards, and once again, Lakeview amazed the entire camp. Each summer, the oldest campers put on an awards show in the theater, and this year, the theme was Blast Off To The GalaxCRC. It was outerspace themed and the theater looked so good! Campers received awards for Future President, Supergirl and Little Miss Sunshine among close to one hundred other awards. Some of the campers in my cabin won awards and we were all nominated…it was a fun night filled with yummy treats, good music and awesome awards!

Now I’m tired and flashlight time is almost over…so I guess that’s all for tonight. I am excited for tomorrow but wish I could add a couple days (or weeks) on to the end of camp. Oh well- I don’t think that’s gonna happen. Goodnight!

Love,
Your Happy Camper