The Sari Diaries- Friday 7/21/23

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

We had a good Friday at #TheRanch2023! As you likely know by now, Fridays are my very favorite day of the week at camp. And this particular Friday was excellent in so many ways. From the outrageously good birthday cake donuts for breakfast to cabin bonding before bed, this was a spectacular day that was filled with all the good things we hope camp is filled with.

At skiing, Scarlett C and Yael S both crossed the wakes on two skis. And at the fishing docks, Julia M caught a fish! In other activity news, at pottery campers were busy on the wheel and at climbing campers were zooming up the wall and down the zipline. Out at the stables, campers were taking walks around the riding ring and loving their time on the horses.

There were also some pretty incredible “between the bricks” moments. We talk all the time about the importance of activities- campers learning new skills, gaining confidence and growing their resiliency through the structured activities we provide. But at least equally important are those moments of connection that are happening all throughout the day…on a walk with a friend from one activity to another, setting the table with a cabinmate before lunch, sitting in the office jibber jabbering or even an impromptu camper gathering at the playground before evening program. Those are the moments that often are the most memorable and the most impactful. Today I got to see and overhear a couple of great moments like these. One of those was outside the office- Bryna C and Reagan K from Trailriders were checking out the weekly menu. Listening to them analyze the meals for the week ahead was quite entertaining…they had a lot of opinions and we thought it was hilarious as we were listening from the office (don’t worry, they knew we were eavesdropping). There was also the very cute teather ball round-robin that was happening between Sloane B, Leah N and Leah S. They were all impressive teather ball athletes but Leah S was the champion this afternoon . Regardless of who was winning, those girls were loving their unstructured time to just be and play.

As for the highlight of the day, this evening’s campfire was fantastic. The theme was Advice From a Tree and Cayla B did an incredible job leading the program. We began at the flagpole where Millie F, Georgia S and Emmie D lowered the flag as Julia N & Sadie Gl sang the Star Spangled Banner. And Yael S held the flag box where the folded flag was placed at the end of the ceremony. Riley F, Braelyn S, Logan R, Ava Z, Naomi M, Millie F, Neve F, Skye N, Maddie S, Leah R, Renata A, Elise M, Vivien L and Evah R all got up to read poems, stories and quotes relating to tonight’s theme. And Blair S and Sophie Friedland read meaningful sermonettes that they wrote. Sophie’s sermonette really hit home for me and I hope the campers and staff sitting around the fire circle tonight really took her words to heart. She talked about the trees and sky that she has looked up at each and every Friday night for the past thirteen summers. She explained all of the amazing things that those trees have witnessed at CRC in their lifetime…the Tan & White cheering, the happy times campers have had at camp, the challenges they have overcome and so much more…through it all, over the course of Chippewa’s history, those same trees have been looking over the CRC community. She then described what she believes the advice those trees would give us…I believe her words included something to the effect of Chippewa has taken care of Chippies like us for generations and it is our responsibility take care of Chippewa for generations to come.

Don’t worry, there’s more about the campfire…Leah Berns had two guest singers for her weekly Taylor Swift performance…shout-out to Sydney S and Noa B were awesome up there belting out T Swift! And of course, the CR-Singers led us in two theme-appropriate songs…”Big Yellow Taxi” and “Where Do the Children Play?” The night ended with a really nice Keylog Ceremony. Campers stood up in front of the entire camp to thank others for their support, love and friendship. I especially appreciated keylogs thrown in for new friends…many of different ages…a couple of Rafter^X campers specified that they were throwing it in for older camper who are always looking out for them…pretty cool, huh?!

As seems to be tradition at the end of each Friday I spend on Dam Lake, I feel inspired and fulfilled. There is so much good that is happening each day at camp and I am grateful for our Friday tradition that provides each of us the opportunity to reflect on all of that goodness. Thank you for reading- I hope you had a great weekend. Stay tuned for a podcast tomorrow night!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari