The Sari Diaries- Friday 6/21/19

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

Happy Summer! I didn’t realize it but Emmy B informed me first thing this morning that it is the first official day of Summer. And while we have been enjoying #TheRanch2019 as if it were already, today it felt even more real. The sun was shining and the sky was blue- there was a noticeable difference in the air…just when I thought the positivity couldn’t grow any stronger, I was proven wrong. So welcome Summer 2019, we are glad you are here!

In addition to the weather and the excitement that it brought, we had tons of amazing things happening all day long. During breakfast this morning, we listened to campfire songs in the lodge- something that we plan to do every Friday morning to get in the campfire mood. After an awesome cabin clean-up, we began our A-Day activities and they were a great success!

Zoe G had a big achievement at waterskiing as she dropped one ski and stayed on the other ski for ten seconds! At archery, I couldn’t believe how many golds were being hit. Just in the few minutes that I was out there, I got to see Emmie D, Maddie K and Julia H all hit the center of the target. And then I learned that Marissa Y has already shot 81 golds this summer! Over at the ropes course, I headed to the top to witness Sophie S, Riley G, Alyssa L, Chandler S, Olivia S and Payton B glide across many different obstacles 40 feet in the air. They were cheering each other on and their confidence way up high was very impressive!

Tonight we had our first Friday Night Campfire- my personal favorite evening program. Lily H led the “I Am Who I Am” themed campfire with amazing poise and grace. The message behind tonight’s program is one that is so important to this community and I think the poems, stories and sermonettes perfectly expressed the value placed on individuality at CRC. There were a number of participants in the flag pole ceremony and the campfire itself. Ella R led us in the Pledge of Allegiance; Sarah G, Emma R, Alex K and Addie S all helped in the lowering and folding of the flag; Rebecca Viner and Molly Levinson beautifully sang the National Anthem; The Chippy Choir was fantastic in their singing of “If You Want to Sing Out;” Lauren Hill sang and played a campfire related song on the guitar; Katie M, Sadie M, Daisy A, Lea W, Samantha D, Camryn F, Julia W, Liesel G and Sari S all read meaningful passages; Josie G and Sara Moss shared thoughtful sermonettes; Milly & Olivea Crothers and Taylor Finley represented New Zealand and helped educate us all about their home country; many campers threw in a Keylog to thank others for acts of kindness; and Alexa Radis led us in the Chippewa Creed. Overall, it was an outstanding evening- the perfect Friday night of reflection on our week, demonstration of appreciation for others and a reminder of the importance for each of us to be our true selves.

After the campfire, as always, we got visits from various Chippies…campers and staff alike. While hanging out for a bit, Shira K let us know that she has set a goal for herself of going down the zipline for the first time this summer. As a Lakeview camper, she wants to be sure she squeezes every little bit she can out of her camp experience (as it is her last summer as a camper). I love that even though it is only the beginning of the summer, she is already thinking about how she can take advantage of every moment here. Stay tuned to learn about her adventures going down the zipline later this summer!

And now I’m back in the office after stopping by Emery S’s birthday party with her cabin in the Main House. They made ice cream sundaes, and are watching a movie together. It was incredibly sweet to witness them interact with each other and their counselors. This group, like so many, seem to have a true bond with each other. They are silly yet respectful and seem to really “get” what this camp experience is all about.

So there you have it, another spectacular day at Chippewa. Hopefully you are not yet sick of me expressing my gratitude for being a part of this place because I must say that today I legit felt inspired. The campfire really was the cherry on top…it was a reminder, as Smoss said, that “Chippewa is the safest place to be who you are.” I am so happy that this CRC can provide so many with an opportunity to truly discover who they are and who they want to be…and to feel comfortable to be just that.

Okay, that’s really it…thanks for reading!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari