The Sari Diaries- Friday 8/1/25

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

Today was lovely! While we aren’t saying it, it appears as though everybody knows we have less than a week left at #TheRanch2025. Campers and staff are comfortable in their skin at CRC and just loving life. Here’s what happened today…

Meals
-Breakfast: Donuts Scrambled Eggs
-Lunch: Quesadillas!
-Dinner: Brisket, Kugel, Potato Pancakes and Cupcakes!

Birthdays
-We celebrated Jen Becker’s birthday at CRC today!

Lost Teeth
-Emma R from Copper Stripes lost a tooth!

Activity Achievements
-Logan W crossed the wakes on one ski!
-Jayden E crossed the wakes on two skis!
-Payton E lifted a ski for ten seconds!
-Gemma F got up and around the lake on two skis!
-Emma S was officially named a member of the Chippy Bats Ski Team! -Jillian C, Sydney S, Olivia G, Sydney S, Annabelle K, Maya G, Stella S and Laney K all became Gold Club members…hitting at least 101 golds in Archery!

What Else Happened Today?!
-We had a blast doing our wonderful B-Day activities! I was overcome with joy when I went to visit the basketball courts and witnessed campers from Colt Village into it. Lainey really knows how to run a basketball session- campers were excited to play dribble knock-out, shooting knock-out and end in a scrimmage. It was truly wonderful to see! At Compass Point, there was an intense game of cards going on, and at cooking, while they were waiting for the pizzas to bake, campers were playing Jacks. According to Stella R and Shiloh C, Leah N is a super-star Jacks player! And this afternoon I had the privilege of jumping in the lake…I haven’t done this quite as often this summer and I think I regret that. Waterfront Director, Lizzy, had the brilliant idea for Soph-Aloaf, Smargs and I to jump in with her and we all agreed. When we got down to fifth period swimming, the entirety of Boots, Cactus and Copper Stripes was loving life in Dam Lake. Many of them got out to jump in with us…we held hands, counted to three and jumped into the glorious lake. Obviously, as tradition states, we took in the beauty both looking out and in camp…it was just the best! I was in between Harmanie S and Reece M- they took some time with me to appreciate how lucky were are to live here this summer…I mean we really are!

-After dinner we had our Women Empowerment Campfire and it was just outstanding. Lisa once again wrote a magnificent campfire filled with inspiring quotes, stories and poems. Emma S led our campfire tonight and she did a beautiful job. The campfire was kicked off with Cara McGurgan sharing with us a bit about her home country, Ireland. She connected some of her traditions and things she loves about Ireland not only to Chippewa but also to tonight’s theme…it was awesome! Readers tonight included Hayley B, India N, Chloe M, Annie F, Amelia E, Caroline M, Luma W, Alexa R, Winnie K, Mari W, Liv K, Layla L and Blair S. Sermonettes were written by Neve F, Charli R and Dylan Grossmann (who just arrived today!). The three of them wrote and read sermonettes that they should be incredibly proud of. They shared with us their perspective on the importance of strong women, and how the Chippewa community plays such an important role in growing strong girls who support one another and make the world a better place. I was beyond impressed with each of them. Below is an excerpt from Dylan’s sermonette…talk about a strong woman role model for our campers! There is no doubt that this campfire had an impact on Chippies young and old…it was relatable, it was important and it was our final Friday Night Campfire of the summer…sigh!

-To put the icing on the cake as they say, we had Tan and White Stalk the Lantern tonight. Campers dressed in all black and tried to make their way to the center of the bullseye of staff chairs in the South Field. Few made it but everybody had a blast! Shout out to Ellie C for being the very first person to slyly get all the way to the 100 zone! And a big congratulations to the Whites on their victory this evening!

That’s about it for now…thanks for reading!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari

Exerpt from Dylan Grossmann’s Sermonette at the Women Empowermen Campfire
We have an indescribable privilege. Being here, absorbing the Chippewa values that have been passed down for generations and generations. The lessons you are being taught here, through campfires, the compass, and even the unconscious experiences of female friendship and fun have been the backbone of Chippewa since its founding. It is the throughline. Chippewa is a place that empowers women to be the kindest, smartest, most sincere, and courageous women they can be. Not every girl is able to experience Chippewa, but you get to. I am certain that what you learn here does not, and cannot, disappear when you leave Chippewa’s magical grounds.

When you grow up, I promise you will find camp everywhere. I know this because Chippewa values are instilled in you. Pass them on to every single person you meet, work with, and love in your life. We are the luckiest girls in the world because we get to be girls here. We are the luckiest girls in the world because we get to uplift women everywhere, just by being a Chippewa girl, by empowering women everyday and helping each other out, for the rest of our lives, near and far. The world is better because of Chippewa girls—don’t forget you’re one of them.