The Sari Diaries- Tuesday 8/7/18

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

How did we get here?! I am writing to you after a very long day that included activities this morning, Pony Express this afternoon and Request Night this evening. And now I am feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, and at the same time, I am feeling proud and energized. This entire day was as good as it gets around here and definitely better than it gets anywhere else in the world. I honestly cannot believe we are going into the final day of camp tomorrow, but after a day like today, I can’t help but feel good about all that has been accomplished this summer.

Campers and staff were thrilled to have one last chance at activities this morning and I was lucky enough to join three C-C campers on the ski boat. Julia A, Lizzie L and Reese S impressed me with their waterski skills and their excitement for each other’s achievements. Elsewhere around camp, lots of good stuff was happening as Chippies were squeezing out every ounce of camp that they could!

Before lunch today, we had a really nice coin ceremony to honor some very deserving campers and staff. Ava S, Talia T, Julia P, Payton G, Sarah N, Alexa R, Sam G, Megan C, Sadie C, Laila C, Riley A, Maddie B, Molly L, Chloe B, Cameron H, Eliza Levy, Zoe Patinkin and Naomi Hunt all earned coins for various good deeds and demonstrations of amazing qualities. I truly love this new tradition at CRC as it is an awesome way to recognize campers and staff who make this such a strong and positive community.

This afternoon was our final Tan & White game- Pony Express. The cheering in the lodge during lunch was incredible…the spirit and enthusiasm for everything Tan & White never ceases to amaze me! That energy led us right into a crazy all-camp relay. Campers participated in a pie eating contest, flutter kick, raisin bran sorting contest among other activities. Other campers ran the baton from one part of camp to another. Regardless of their role in the relay, each Tan and White team member gave every ounce of energy they had to helping their team win the race. For the final leg, the Grand and Chief Sachems of each team canoed across the lake to the famous Watermelon Island to search for their team’s watermelon. While the Whites got to the island first, the Tans made it back to CRC with their watermelon about three minutes before the Whites. It was an outstanding race and every single Tan and White has a lot to be proud of.

And then a couple of exciting announcements were made. First the Village Directors announced the second session Honor Cabins…a big congratulations to Copper Stripes and C-C on having super-clean cabins all session! Next, the Neutrals were ready with the big news that the entire camp was waiting for…the winner of Tan and White 2018. The scores were close but for the first time in a long time, the WHITES WON THE SUMMER! The cheers were insane as both teams congratulated each other. One last shout-out to the sachems of both teams…these girls led their teams in such an admirable way all summer long- their teams learned from their hard work and their dignity…THANK YOU for all of the blood, sweat and tears (hopefully only a few) that you put into making this summer’s Tan and White competition so special!

Tonight was request night…the traditional second to last night of camp program each summer. It began in the theater with campers and staff requesting others to perform on stage. From Audry L & Annabelle K’s handshake to Sadie G singing, there was a ton of talent on display tonight! We then heard both the camper and staff farewell speeches. Ryan S, Lily K and Lucy G beautifully articulated the impact that Chippewa has had on their lives in their superb camper farewell. The Ten Year girls bid Chippewa a fond farewell from the staff and I could not have been more proud of what they had to say. They each wrote a note to their 2009 selves…that was the year they started camp. Their speeches were funny and heartfelt, and were true indicators of the significant impact a Chippewa career has on a person. The night ended with a summer in review video made by Cliff. As always, the entire camp loved it!

And now, all is quiet at #TheRanch2018 as we prepare for our final day of the most fantastic summer I can recall. Thanks for reading…goodnight Chippies!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari