The Sari Diaries- Monday 6/21/21

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

It is here…finally…the day we have literally been dreaming of since August of 2019. And if I’m being completely honest, if the first day of camp is any indication, the summer of 2021 will have been worth the wait. I have given a lot of thought to this first issue of The Sari Diaries since May 3rd when I arrived at camp. I have been thinking about how I could possibly do a day like this justice- a day that we have all built up in our minds for so long, and a day that we have really and truly needed for so many reasons. And after a good deal of consideration, I have landed on writing about this extremely special day in the normal way…just as I would any other first night of camp. I am going to tell you about all of the amazingness that has already happened in the first eight hours at #TheRanch2021, and I am going to give you all a dose of normalcy…because that is exactly what we all need, and that is exactly what we are aiming to give the incredible 2021 Chippewa community this summer. So here it goes…

The first bus arrived at 2pm this afternoon and it was magical. The youngest campers in camp were greeted by the ENTIRE staff. The “We Welcome You to Chippewa” was insanely spirited. The campers got off the bus full of energy, with smiles on their faces and they were swooped right into the Chippewa orbit. We then headed to the Center Fire Circle to announce cabins. I forgot how amazing it is to watch the new campers sitting around the Center Fire Circle for the first time- the combination of excitement and wonder…not knowing what is coming but eager to find out. And so as Lisa and I welcomed them to camp, and sent them on their way with their cabinmates and counselors, I was reminded of the unique opportunity we have each summer…but this one especially…we have a new generation of Chippy girls ready to dive into this culture…their camp careers are just beginning, and the Chippewa world is their oyster. The friendships that they are about to build, and the experiences they are about to learn from, and the skills they are about to gain, will help shape them as people. As they begin their journey as Chippewa campers, I am so looking forward to watching them grow, and I am so happy to be a part of their camp experience…starting on day one.

The afternoon excitement continued as buses rolled in every 45 minutes until close to 6pm. To cap off the arrivals and cabin annoucements, Lakeview 2021 sang their cabin song loud and proud. The entire afternoon was awesome…it was the perfect kick-off to what will inevitably be the greatest summer in Chippewa’s history.

After an amazing spaghetti dinner (the traditional first night meal at CRC), we all headed to the North Field for the Opening Friendship Fire. Cabins were spread out around the field, we had a fire going in our new North Field fire pit, and the outdoor stage got its first use! We sang “Walking,” were entertained by Cliff doing “I Saw a Bear” or is it “I Saw a Bar” with the new staff, and C-C cheered loudly when Lily G won the Chippy Trivia Quiz Raffle. A definite highlight was when we sang “The Circle Game.” First of all, Lakeview sang so that the whole field could hear…it was one of their first moments to lead the camp by example…to demonstrate how we do things at CRC…and it was SO CHIPPEWA. And then, as the song got going, Mari W (first year camper) began dancing. She danced as if she had been at Chippewa for years- smiling, uninhibited and full of joy. Her dancing was contagious…counselors from Trailriders joined in as did her cabinmates. It was just perfect!

And obviously we ended the evening program with Jen’s famous brownies…duh!!!

Finally, Sophie, Lisa & I walked through cabins to say goodnight to campers. In the Colt Village, campers are getting settled in nicely- nighttime routines are already beginning to be established, and campers look comfortable in their new spaces. In the Wrangler Village, the energy is palpable…it is just so obvious how happy simply being here, and being with each other, makes these campers. And that’s the goal- to provide a happy place for our campers and staff…somewhere they know will always be here for them…a summer oasis where they can thrive, where they can feel content, and where they can feel comfortable being who they are. While the summer of 2021 is just beginning, I have all the confidence in the world that what lies ahead of us is nothing short of spectacular.

So that’s day one at CRC ’21. Thank you all for taking the time to read about our first day…I am looking forward to updating you each night for the next eight weeks…Wednesday nights will be via podcast, and as always, Soph-Aloaf will be the Thursday evening blogger :). Have a great one!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari

PS Be sure to check out the photos on Waldo (code crc21) from our day!