The Sari Diaries- 7/1/2024

Dear Chippewa Family,

Today was an incredible day at camp, as my campers would say, today Chippewa was really “jiving.”

Hi Everyone! My name is Dylan Grossmann, I’m a counselor in C-C and it’s my tenth summer at camp (I did it!),

After the typical breakfast and cabin cleanup shenanigans, the first day of the second signup period commenced. A Happy first A-day to all who celebrate!

My schedule started with two awesome yoga classes. In the first, I had a ton of energetic Trailriders campers, who had been exposed to yoga before. We had a great class full of stretching it all out under the Northwoods sun. My second class, though, really made me grateful to be teaching yoga that morning at camp. The class was small, Leni B, Logan R, Avery J, and Ellie C from Timberwalk and Marlie A from Blackfoot. It was a lot of their first times doing any sort of yoga, and so naturally some of the poses and transitions were a bit unfamiliar or uncomfortable. They really listened and paid close attention, and it was very cute when they would get into a pose and let out a sigh of relief. By the end of the class, they were so visibly relaxed and were super excited to feel the difference in their energy from the start of class to the end. At the end of the day, Leni B came up to me and told me that starting her day with yoga made her whole day better. Obviously, that made my whole day better too.

After my morning yoga, I joined my campers on our cabin porch to catch some rays, and as we all sat out listening to music, I wrote a letter home to my parents. It’s definitely unconventional to still be writing and receiving letters from my parents as a staff member, but there is something so amazing about sharing the details of my wonderful days at camp with my parents ten summers later, and getting to hear about their days (something I rarely get a window into while at college). I save all my letters from my parents, and I know that I will love reading them later in my life.

Lunch was served picnic style, and so when my cabin was called I loaded up my sandwich with all the fixings, and then we promptly returned to the porch to practice our lip-sync (a true masterpiece in the making). Before afternoon activities, a Coin Ceremony brought together the camp at the center fire circle where Marlee A, India N, Shiloh C, Olivia S and Indie Jorgensen were awarded coins. Marlee A was presented with the Kindness Coin, which is a huge deal at CRC. She is a camper who spreads kindness with every interaction she has at camp, and we are so proud of her for earning this coin! India N received the Generosity Coin for her generous and inclusive nature. She is a first time camper who has not only transitioned easily into the Chippewa community, but she has also found ways to share her good nature with so many Chippies. Shiloh C received the Optimism Coin for her enthusiastic and positive attitude. Olivia S earned the Responsibility Coin not only for her hard work & leadership in her cabin and with 4th of July planning, but also for her commitment to being responsible toward the Earth when it comes to keeping our camp clean. And finally, Indie was presented with the Determination Coin. She is a new staff member who is a trip leader and she has shown extreme determination when it comes to planning trips and ensuring a safe & fun experience for all campers and counselors who are on her trips. The Coin Ceremony was a nice way to fold Chippewa values and share positive recognition into the day at camp.

In the afternoon, during fifth period, I joined a group of C-C, Bowed Legs and A-Frame campers on the splashmat during their swimming period. At that point, the sun had retreated and it was a bit chilly, but these campers were determined to make the most out of their swimming period. It was really fun to be in the water with them, and a perfect cap to my day of activities.

After a shower and some cabin time, my day somehow got even better when I walked into the Adler Lodge with my campers and the smell of orange chicken and egg rolls reached our noses. This meal, is a relatively new Chippewa staple, but it has quickly become a fan favorite. In my early camper days, I remember my friends and I lamenting the lack of soy sauce and rice (a true crowd pleaser) on the Chippewa menu - and so I’m glad to see it on my table these days.

The night ended with “Chippy’s Got Talent,” the camper talent show. Maybe I’m biased, but I’m pretty sure when it comes to talent, Chippewa’s is bountiful. From dances, to songs, to comedy sketches, the campers and staff were cheering loudly for the courage, confidence, and skill displayed on stage. Among my favorite acts was Camille T’s act, where she stunned the camp by picking up the heaviest of objects to “Eye of the Tiger” - proving the age-old Chippewa sentiment “Strong is the New Pretty.” Of course, the night ended in a Chippy Dance Party. Chippy Dance Parties are some of my favorite memories from my time at Chippewa. Here at CRC, we truly dance like no-one is watching.

Reading this back, it’s all just a pretty typical day at Chippewa, and somehow it was a day that just kept getting better and better. That is the typical day at Chippewa, a great day filled with fun surprises, twists and turns, and awesome moments of community. I am so lucky I get to spend my days here, and it doesn’t take writing The Sari Diaries for me to know that. The love for Chippewa is all around me. Goodnight Chippies!

Campingly Yours,
Dylan