The Sari Diaries- Friday 6/26/26

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

The best day of the week here at CRC has come and gone, and I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. From wake-up to bedtime, this day was absolutely, positively stupendous. And here’s why…

Our Day at CRC
-Morning wake-up with a Seven Wonders Quiz!
-Breakfast- Scrambled Eggs, Cinnamon Rolls, Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
-Cabin Clean-Up- Shout-out to Colt Village…they rocked it today!
-1st & 2nd Period Activities- Today’s weather finally felt like summer and we took full advantage during our activities!
-The Friday Blend Lunch- Lots of good Chippy bonding over Turkey Pesto Paninis & Chips
-Blackfoot and Silverspurs returned from their camping trip and jumped right back into camp life after enjoying a wonderful time on a beautiful campground!
-3rd, 4th & 5th Period Activities- The fun continued this afternoon as campers enjoyed their time doing camp things!
-Dinner- Brisket, Potato Pancakes, Kugel, Carrots, Dinner Rolls and Cupcakes

-Friday Night Campfire- Theme was Resilience
Campfire Leader: Skye N (Lakeview)
Quote, Poem & Story Readers: Julia F (Trailriders), Arielle K (C-C), Josie K (Silverspurs), Willow K (Lakeview), Hudson G (Timber Walk), Poppy D (Silverspurs), Sydney B (Trailriders), Dylan H (Circle C), Jordie K (Boots), Joyelle H (Boots), Charli R (Trailriders), Sydney S (Horseshoe), Tatum R (Lucky-X), Jamie P (Silverspurs), Sadie M (Lakeview)
Sermonette: Lizzy LoGrande Flag Pole Participants: Vivien L (Lakeview), Sydney C (Lakeview), Justine S (Lakeview), Riley L (Trailriders)
National Anthem Singer: Harmanie S (Timber Walk)

Activity Achievements
-Evah R (Lakeview). Molly D (Blackfoot) and Alina S (Timber Walk) officially joined the elite club of White Caps- our top swimming level at Chippewa!
-Sami S (Trailriders) lifted a ski for ten seconds!
-India N (Trailriders) dropped a ski and got around the lake on one ski!
-Shay C (Circle C) got up and around the lake on two skis!
-Olivia G (Circle C) lifted a ski for ten seconds!

Everything Matters Moments
-We had our very first tour at #TheRanch2026 today, and while walking around camp with this prospective camper and her mom, I was filled with pride. I often tell people that what sets Chippewa apart is out community- there is a certain feeling people get when they step on the grounds…a palpable friendliness & warmth that is so unique. And today that feeling was in full force- the way our campers and staff engaged with our guests was adorable and heart warming…I have no doubt that they felt that Chippy feeling!

-Twice today I visited the Chippy Ropes Course and both times I couldn’t help but walk away with a ginormous smile on my face. The first visit was quick- I got to watch as Delia R (Bowed Legs) went down the TrueBlue with the entire class cheering her on…it was very sweet. Then during fifth period, I actually went up onto the ropes course…initially to take photos of campers 40 feet in the air. In the end though, after some major encouragement from the campers and staff out there, I agreed to go up The Vs and down the TrueBlue. It was fun, it was a little bit scary and it was a lot of joyfulness. The general vibe out there was incredibly enthusiastic and supportive. A big thank you to Kedzie Z (Trailriders), Emery F (Blackfoot), Julia F (Trailriders), Coral S (Trailriders), Chloe M (Trailriders), Hannah H (Blackfoot), Lucy O (Trailriders), Riley L (Trailriders), Cameron R (Boots), Joyelle H (Boots), Sadie G (Timber Walk) and Rachel L (Cactus) for providing me with an EMM that made my day!
-We currently have about 15 alumni visitors for the weekend. These are amazing alumni who were both campers and counselors here and it has been wonderful. They naturally bring an energy and love for camp that hypes this place up. In addition though, what makes having these visitors here so special, is that our campers are so excited to see their former counselors and activity instructors. It is so evident that each summer the Chippy staff have a lasting and positive impact on the campers of CRC…everything they do matters, there is no doubt about that.

-I very much loved tonight’s campfire theme, Resilience. As Skye read the opening of the campfire (incredibly written by Lisa Lissner), I listened to the meaning of camp…the importance of growth and the need for challenge. She described the tough moments that we all experience at camp- feeling excluded, not passing a level in skiing, missing home among other typical trials and tribulations that provide opportunity to become a better person, to learn empathy and realize that we can. The campfire this evening provided a message that I hope our campers heard and I hope it resonates with them- if not in this very moment in time, at some point over their camp careers. I hope they come to appreciate the difficult moments as much as the joyous ones because both ends of the spectrum are part of this magical experience. Towards the end of the campfire, Molly D (Blackfoot) turned to me to very quietly whisper, “Look at the sky.” As I turned my head to the left, my breath was taken away…it was stunning…and how cool that nine year-old Molly noticed this. I often talk about how campfires do a little something different for every member of our community, and that as campers get older, they learn to appreciate Friday nights a little bit more. Regardless of what they take away each week, I love that every Friday night we are able to come together as a camp community for some reflection time…to take it all in. And tonight, Molly did just that and I love it!

That’s all I’ve got from 8258 County O for tonight. Thanks for reading- enjoy your evening!

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari