Walking to Devotions This Morning

After rain,

His glory:

shafts of light--

because the mist is so thick,

that we swim through the forest

as we walk.

Drip-

Drop.

Camp Staff

Nothing is like living at camp. I tell my campers at the beginning of the week to watch the way the staff interact with one another. Listen to the way they speak to one another. They don't over-compete. They apologize. They encourage each other. They work together as a matter of course. Every job can be made fun. The Kingdom come.

4th and 5th Grade Week One

• Girls have cooties
• Bedtimes are 8pm
• Attention spans are 10 minutes at best
• Missing Mom, Dad, and dog
• "Pharoah, Pharoah"

Special Week

As we near the end of special week, each cabin writes about one of the events we did together.

What I wrote:

Wilderness time for the ladies of Cardinal B was a hoot! Dee Dee listened next to her friend Nora as the wilderness directors explained the function of rabbit fur. Jessica took pictures of the animals, exclaiming about the many facts she knew about each animal. She snapped a few shots as best friends Willianne and Faye cuddled the rabbit, Amelia. Bobby didn’t seem to mind the fur sticking to her shirt at all! Later, each lady touched the gecko and the bearded dragon! Amanda bravely petted Timmy the turtle, who had risen from the depths of his little pond. Sandy petted Amelia. She whispered to the rabbit as Ameila settled into her gentle grasp.

What actually happened:

Dee Dee stared silently. She sat next to Nora. Jessica took pictures and commented on the furriness of rabbits. Willee and Faye cuddled the rabbitt... til the rabbit "scratched" Willee. (It was actually a scar that had been on her arm for a long, long time). Bobby touched the rabbit. Amanda petted Timmy. Sandy ran out of the class after petting the rabbit, going for the glass door. She missed the door and went for the glass wall, thereby bruising and cutting her left leg slightly. The rest of the afternoon I spent in one-on-one time with Sandy, telling the nurses about her leg, which warranted a single band-aid.

Pre-Camp

Today was a beautiful, windy day at camp. We are a week into pre-camp training. We began today day with first aid training: Check. Call. Care. Passed!

Then a rare opportunity arose for the majority of the staff to use their free time to go into town to buy essentials. While in this process, I ran into, not one, but two former campers of mine whose names I forgot on the spot! (Tina and Taylor, I am so sorry.)

A few things: The staff are so beautiful! I can already see the Kingdom come in our interactions. Next week is special week. My co-counselor is tops. It's gonna be a fun-fun time.

For purposes of writing to me:

Carolyn McKalips

c/o Black Rock Retreat

1235 Kirkwood Pk.

Quarryville, PA 17566