The Sari Diaries- Sunday 7/12/26

Dear Chippies, Parents, Family and Friends,

It was truly lovely to see so many of you over this past weekend. A big thank you to all of the families that joined us for Visiting Weekend 2026- it was a wonderful intermission to this fantastic summer!

And now it feels good to be writing The Sari Diaries live from the second session at #TheRanch2026. I truly do not know where the time went over the last four weeks but the good news is that we have four more. Soph-Aloaf is working on a mechanism to slow time down, so hopefully that will work and we can make this second session last for awhile. Even if that doesn’t happen, I am confident that we will have a spectacular time and create memories that last a lifetime over the course of the next 25 days. Today was a good indication of the fun that is to come, and I am excited to tell you all about it!

This morning, as we loaded the buses at Northbrook Court, most of the staff were back at camp getting things ready for the start of second session. Job charts were being made, bunk beds were being moved and counselors were getting hyped to meet their new campers. There were drop-offs throughout the morning, and as campers arrived, candy sushi and played games. Then at about 2:53pm, the buses arrived! We sang “We Welcome You to Chippewa” as campers excitedly exited the buses. Once cabins were announced, it felt like everything was officially rolling.

Walking around camp, I had was thrilled to see Sloane M, Scarlett C, Lily R, Lila M and Dylan C (Trailriders) enjoying a game of jacks on the pickle court. Down by the beach, Millie W and Penelope Z (Blackfoot) were having a handstand showdown. Most interestingly, Emmie H, Naomi T, Zoey Z and Eva S (Wagon Ridge) were having a popcorn competition on the tramps…being judged by counselors Mallanah & Saffron along with cabinmate Jeneva E. It was quite a creative competition!

At dinner, we had the traditional first night meal (spaghetti, meatballs and brownies). Lakeview went from table to table helping cabins sing their cabin song…energy was high- that’s for sure! After dinner we had our Opening Friendship Fire. There was a talking contest in which Sadie S (Lakeview), Emmar R (A-Frame) and Sadie G (Silverspurs) competed. It was one of the more impressive showings that I can remember. It ended with Sadie G defeating Sadie S by a hair! We also had a belated Piccolomini competition in which Cora P (Timber Walk), Katie M (Cactus), Julia N (Lakeview), Birthday Girl, Sloane B, & Noa C (A-Frame) and Ella R (Circle C) & Avery R (Horseshoe) competed. In the end, Cora, the Raff Sisters and Julia Nathanson were finalists but the Raff sisters won out…their years long preparation paid off! We ended the campfire with a special keylog ceremony, campers and staff thre in keylogs to tie the bond of friendship between the city they are from and CRC. It was cute and very sweet!

The night ended cabin bonding and some much needed rest. So that’s the deal for us from 8258 County O. It was an incredible start to what is sure to be an extraordinary final four weeks for us! Thanks for checking-in…talk to you all tomorrow.

Happy Camping and Love,
Sari