Dear Chippies, Parents Family and Friends,
-“She went to the hospital.”
-“We got a stinger.”
-“Mid Ed Kohler.”
-“We left the house because the fire cannon was nearby.”
-“I’m not sure if it’s worth breaking out of jail.”
-“I just donated plasma.”
-“The Tan Team Sacrifices…”
Happy Realm, everybody! The above quotes are just some of the insane phrases that can be heard around CRC during Realm. I am going to get into the nitty-gritting explanation of the game tomorrow night, but for now I just want to relay to all of you how amazing, unique and unifying this multi-day, super-intense, bizarre game of Realm truly is. So here is my best attempt…
It is rare that before breakfast campers are dressed and ready for the day ahead, but after an exciting rendition of Realm Selections last night, when I walked to the Office at the Top of the Hill this morning, campers were all around camp decked and prepared in their finest Realm Gear. Spies were wearing all black and carrying drawstring backpacks while most other members of the Tan and White teams were wearing their red and white gear but still very ready for the day. The anticipation of this day was palpable…veteran campers and new campers alike were hyped for what was to come.
After breakfast and cabin clean-up, we headed to the waterfront for the Cornucopia where the Sachems strategically raced to gather supplies for their teams. The entire camp was cheering for these leaders- the energy to start the day was outstanding! Following the Cornucopia, teams headed to their castles to strategize before reporting for duty at their designated posts. From the Top of the Hill, we could see the Tan Team doing a dance all together to prepare in a fun and silly way for the intense day ahead…a reminder that while Realm is life, Realm is also a game that is meant to be enjoyed.
My personal favorite part of Realm is how it brings Chippies together. All Braves are split into houses…twelve between the two teams…and each house has two House Neutrals who are counselors. These houses are randomly generated so inevitably campers are in houses with others who they may not know so well going into Realm. But after spending full days together, working as a team, they get to know and appreciate each other in a meaningful way. To raise chickens, mine, build a stinger cannon, and do a bunch of other crazy tasks together is to grow together…and that is what campers are doing throughout Realm. As campers get older, this looks different…spies are randomly paired together to search in the woods, help with army attacks and defenses and collect info on the other team. And the Chiefs are either sitting at the Round Table making a game plan or heading out on army attacks and defenses with a smattering of other Chiefs. All of this provides our campers with an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and really get to connect with those they may not otherwise.
The day was filled with all sorts of action…screams and giggles could be heard all across camp. Houses exchanged hands, the stock market began booming, the Tans rose to the top of the food chain, the Whites gained possession of the Fire Cannon, house targets were hit and an Ocelot Tamer was named (congrats to Ellie C). All of that is just a brief summary of what transpired here…it’s honestly not a fraction of the day, but it gives you some kind of idea of what’s happening at 8258 County O. Campers know that Realm is weird in the very best way possible and they lean into it. They are proud to be Chippies…an exceptional group of humans who know and love a game that is all ours…how cool is that?!
And now everybody is back in their cabins and resting up for tomorrow’s continuation of the game. As I walked back to the office this evening and looked down Main Street, which has been transformed into Chippindel, I couldn’t help but smile. From Cannons Are Us to the red and white flats that are hanging above the mini-town, and from the Gross-Ery Store to the Jail & Hospital, and from the Pharmacy to the Chip Chop Shop, it is no wonder to me that campers are so obsessed with this game. #TheRanch2025 has become Realm and each person playing has the opportunity to make it what they wish…some choose to be intense spies deep in the woods and others are enjoying hanging out on Chippindel snacking their day away. Regardless of how they are choosing to spend these couple of days, they know that they are a part of something special that exists only here at CRC…and they are in it!
Before closing out tonight’s entry, I would like to thank the Realm Development and Production Teams. Under Cliff’s guidance, they have brought to life a vision that has been building over the course of the past nine summers. They have put in an exorbitant amount of time and effort leading up to this morning in order to ensure that every detail is just right. And today, they have been running all over camp keeping this game on the rails…it is legit a perfect scene! So thank you to Cliff, Mia, Charlie, Julia, Jillian, Luke, Julia, Lily, Emmie, Summer and Jill…you are magicians and you have created an experience at Chippewa that is having a mega-impact on our community!
Alright, that’s it for tonight- stay tuned for a complete Realm Season 9 rundown and explanation tomorrow. I can’t promise that it will be articulate enough for you to actually understand the game…but it should at the very least be entertaining and give you a good laugh. Thanks for reading!
Happy Camping and Love,
Sari
PS Happy Birthday to Liv K, the Tan’s Grand’s Knight…it is her 15th birthday and we have loved celebrating her on this incredible day!