Today dawned bright and cool. A light breeze off the lake made that extra blanket feel good until the morning bell rousted camp from their beds. With the morning feeling so routine now, cabin crews worked efficiently through their morning chores and arrived to ready for breakfast. The schedule has become ingrained and meal times are felt deeply at this stage of the session!

Don and I were commenting today at how natural a place we find the dining hall in full tilt, though it is quite the scene. There is a constant flow of people, food, and noise throughout the meal time. It also serves as an essential nexus of information as questions are answered, trips added onto, plans for evening activities laid, etc. This morning offered up eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, french toast sticks, fruits, cereals, and more. 

Meal times are the glue of the camp community, and are just plain fun. In short order though, breakfast wrapped up and morning assembly was jamming hard with some Father Abraham to get everyone moving and shaking.

Trips were heading out in numbers today, with the mountain bikers taking a group to Dupont Forest for a loop ride to Wintergreen Falls. A full morning trip is usually plenty of biking and this particular route has the perfect snack location at the base of the falls with cold water to cool your feet in. Climbers went the other way, into Pisgah, for a day on the Southside of Looking Glass. It was a beautiful day for climbing with dry conditions and that same breeze cooling things off a bit down in the valley.

The paddlers took off for the Tuckaseegee River with a mixed group of canoers and kayakers. The Tuck is a step up in our river progression and begins to push our guys to not only recognize/use features of the river, but to begin doing so with water that pushes back more insistently. Our Panthertown overnight hikers returned today with stories of big views and time well spent swimming in some water holes. A lunch by a waterfall was also a highlight. The high ropes course had two different groups, Sprucepine and then Outpost, enjoying the day up in the tree tops. Solid adventures all around!

Another fun aspect of camp has been seeing the prizes won in The High Rocks Auction come to fruition. They happen at seemingly random moments throughout a day, with one cabin group gathering for something cool. Today that took the shape of a rest hour spent on the waterslide. Just 5 campers and 2 counselors able to slide as many times as they possible could wish during the warmest, sunniest part of the day. Another cabin enjoyed Brownies with Banks, our assistant head of mountain biking. These lucky fellas spent an hour just chatting together and with Banks as they crushed fresh baked brownies and ice cream. Other cabins made tie-dye shirts, get to pie a counselor (of their choice!) in the face, or enjoy a walk through a surprise candy garden. One lucky crew went on a cowboy dinner ride which entailed riding through camp trails in the evening before arriving at a roaring fire to cook hotdogs and s’mores. The constant addition of surprise fun keeps campers on their toes and adds just a bit of that camp magic to a big busy day!

A day that busy has everyone ready for a relaxing evening back in their cabins, and should make for a sound night’s sleep. There is even a patter of rain beginning to fall as I type this which should really seal the deal. May you guys at home sleep as well as a tired young man with rain falling on his roof!

We’ll handle the meals, gear, and schedule so you can enjoy quality time together. Parents, siblings, and even grandparents are welcome! Registration is open now, and space is limited to 28 families. Whether you’re reliving camp with your son or introducing a younger sibling to the fun, Family Camp is a great way to wrap up the summer.

Enjoy the pictures from today and we will see you back here tomorrow!

Woody Noland