The Sari Diaries- Monday 6/19/23

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

#TheRanch2023 is officially in motion and I couldn’t be happier! It is hard to believe that ten months have passed since the last day of camp last summer, and that over six months have passed since we had a huge crew at the movie theater for the Chicago reunion, and that over a month has passed since our first staff members arrived for pre-camp, and that over a week has passed since the CITs and JCs arrived…but here we are…back at CRC for another unbelievable summer on Dam Lake!

Today was special- as first days of camp typically are- and I will do my best to paint an accurate picture in this evening’s TSD…

The energy was incredibly high this morning at breakfast as the anticipation of camper arrivals was mounting. Staff were excited about what was to come throughout the day. And then, at about 12pm, our very first camper arrived. Mae J entered the gates of Chippewa Ranch Camp for her first time, and so began the summer of 2023 at CRC!

Over the course of the next three hours, we had campers arriving and we put the finishing touches on camp in preparation for the buses to pull in. At approximately 2:56pm, five buses drove through the circle drive, and were met by counselors singing, “We Welcome You To Chippewa.” As campers piled off the buses with huge smiles on their faces, they were greeted with hugs from camp friends and counselors alike.

After some tours around camp, unpacking and general settling in, we had a delicious traditional first night dinner…spaghetti and meatballs! Cabins enjoyed their first meal together- lots of chatter and obviously cheering led by Lakeview.

Following dinner, we headed to the Center Fire Circle for the Opening Friendship Fire. The Friendship Fire was filled with fun and entertainment- there were introductions to some key staff members and the staple first day of camp “shtick.” Cliff played “Circle Game,” and led some new staff in “I See a Bar,” which produced lots of laughs. Leah Berns (Program Director) and Lauren Hill (Trip Director) performed “Fifteen” by Taylor Swift…naturally a fan favorite. In the middle of the campfire, we took a nature break because there was a deer and two baby deer hanging out in the South Field…it was pretty adorable. As has been tradition at least since 1997, we were led by the First Year JCs in singing “Walking.” It was a big day for that specific tradition…there is a story that goes along with that song that we have been telling for quite some time. The story involves Sosna- a Chippy alum…and when we mention Sosna, we always mention Katz (they were a Chippy duo back in the 1990s and early 2000s)…and tonight, both Sosna and Katz’s daughters were sitting around the Center Fire Circle as first year campers…how cool is that?! In addition to that awesomeness, we had a “Piccolomini” competition, which was won by Julia W and Ally C…according to them, this has been a lifelong goal of theirs. To round out the campfire, we had the big Chippy Trivia Quiz raffle- a chance for everybody who answered a Chippy Trivia Quiz throughout the off-season to win a cabin trip to Cathy’s. And this year’s winner was none other than Sophie K from the cabin of Trailriders! Finally, before heading back to cabins, we had delicious brownies…they were perfectly ooey and gooey if I do say so myself!

And now everybody is back in their cabins after a little bit of cabin bonding, and hopefully fast asleep. As I walked around cabins before lights out, campers and counselors were having teeth brushing parties, writing letters, playing games and buzzing with lots of excitement. In Silverspurs, Shane S was showing everybody her tooth that she lost…the official first lost tooth at #TheRanch2023!

So that’s the story- that was our day at CRC…it was truly an incredible start to the summer! This summer, we are all about connection- making sure that each and every individual in our community feels connected to camp…both the people and the place. I am definitely feeling good about the start that we have gotten off to when it comes to connection. Returning campers are happy to be reconnecting, and new campers are already forming the foundation for what I know will be some amazing relationships with their cabinmates and counselors. I have a good feeling about this summer we are embarking on…I’m pretty sure it will be best we have ever experienced!

Thanks for reading- check back tomorrow for another edition of The Sari Diaries!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari