The Sari Diaries- Tuesday 7/27/21

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

We had ourselves a day at CRC, and it was awesome! From wake-up through our late night evening program, we were busy, and having fun. The vibes are good, campers are happy and the staff are rocking it all over camp; and I am personally feeling very appreciative for all of the little moments happening so often around here. More specifically, here’s what happened today…

Last night we had ourselves a bit of a summer storm, which provided us with some excitement. This morning, on the way to breakfast, we found a couple of extra sticks and leaves around, and the waterslide moved just a tad in the lake :). But lucky for us, the weather cooperated all day today…campers even asked if we put a heater in the lake because the water was feeling nice and warm. And thanks to that great weather, we had a lot of good things happening all across camp at activities!

At waterskiing, Ava V, Ava S and Suzy R crossed the wakes on two skis, and Julia P dropped a ski! I had the great privilege of hanging out on the fishing docks during fourth period fishing. Annie S caught a fish while I was there, Sadie G told me all about her unique way of catching fish and I got to see Ivy F in action as an IA. While standing on the fishing dock, I also had the good fortune of seeing Camryn F and Lauren G singing gleefully on their SUP board as they headed back to the docks. Those two are clearly taking advantage of every moment they have left as campers and I love it!

Tonight’s evening program was Songfest practice- the Tans and Whites had their second to last rehearsal before Thursday’s big performance. Campers are getting very excited to show off what they have learned, and rumor has it, the themes are awesome! Each summer, Cliff, Lisa, Sophie, the Neutrals & I learn the Songfest themes on the night of Songfest…it is a longstanding tradition, and one that I look forward to each summer.

And then after Songfest practice, campers went back to their cabins, put on all black (and some bug spray) to prepare for second session’s T&W Stalk the Lantern! This is one of the few programs that we do both sessions, and with good reason, it is one of everybody’s favorites! We all gathered at the Center Fire Circle for campers to learn the rules of the game and make a plan with their teams. But when everyone arrived, they were surprised to find the Screen on the Green blow-up screen upon which the Olympics were being live streamed! One of the T&W Neutrals, Rebecca Viner, announced to the camp that one of her friends from high school (in Nashville) was competing for the gold medal in the 200m Individual Medley. The entire Chippewa community was gathered around the Center Fire Circle cheering on Alex Walsh as she swam a race that was truly unbelievable. The cheers of elation coming from campers as Alex won the Silver Medal were incredible, and I know that for us Chippies, that moment tonight will be one of our most special memories of the summer.

After that amazing moment, we got back to Stalk the Lantern prep. And once the sky got dark, Tans and Whites tried to slither their way to the center of the staff bullseye that was created on the South Field without getting caught by a flashlight. Those who made it to the center earned 100 points and others were awarded points based on how close to the center they made it. It was a wild and happy night- both the Tans & Whites loved ending the day with this game, and while the Tans came out on top, I’m pretty sure both teams went to sleep feeling good about today at #TheRanch2021.

I guess that’s all for now…while I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, I must admit that today, for the first time, when I looked ahead at the calendar, my stomach started to get that feeling that I dread…that one that happens when I realize that time is going a tad bit too quickly…that the end of summer programming is nearing…and that we really, really need to remember that the time we get to spend here is important…that we need to make each and every day SO CHIPPEWA…and that we must stop and appreciate all of our between the bricks moments. So my goal for all of us is to do just that- to take it all in, and understand how fortunate we are to be living life in such a normal and happy way at CRC! Okay, now that’s really all…have a great night!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari