Today was another great day at camp. Beautiful weather, well-behaved campers, and you wouldn't believe the wildlife. This morning, there were deer everywhere around the camp (obviously used to lots of people). A wild turkey practically walked in the Conference Center lobby, and squirrels and chipmunks certainly didn't let camp get in the way of their busy schedules.
The camp food was better; it's certainly no Outback Steakhouse or even Golden Corral, but the pancakes for breakfast were a welcome sight and the make-your-own taco salads at lunch seemed to be a big hit. For some reason, desserts have been scarce this year, but the Breyers fruit bars in strawberry, coconut, or lime flavors disappeared quickly when offered this afternoon. For those of you who don't know, camp meals are served family style. Campers can choose where they sit at meals, and teens are at the head of each table. Menu items are placed on the table in large serving dishes and campers pass the food around to their friends. This is our second year for this set-up at camp, but it has worked well. We encourage teens and campers to share in conversation and perhaps take these methods home to their actual families.
Pool and rec times were exciting once again. During Free Recreation, camp volunteer Mrs. Heidi has been offering Felting activities. Campers have made various items by turning sheep's wool or goat fibers into felt. Today's project was felted soap--a bar of soap covered in felt so that it acts as a body loofah. Pretty cool! And all natural, so it's definitely recyclable/biodegradable. Go green with 4-H!
The Wednesday evening program was the dance. Perhaps the most anticipated part of camp for some youth, there was talk all day of who was wearing what, who was dancing with whom, and how much cologne the boys were going to wear. It's always amazing to the adults how quickly the messy boys' dorm transforms from a pig-sty locker-room to a thick aroma/haze of Axe and other products. ha-ha Those of you who remain at home have NO IDEA what you are missing. :) Many thanks to Gillz, a summer staff member, who serves as DJ and selects a wide variety of fast and fun songs, all appropriate for 4-H camp, of course!
Well, tomorrow's our last day. Campers will finish classes, participate in closing ceremonies, and hopefully get all of their stuff packed up quickly and completely. Madison County campers will return to MCHS at 6:00 p.m. Orange County campers will return to OES (Orange Elementary) at 6:30 p.m. Parents: don't forget your Camper Express Pick-up Cards, and remember to get your child's medications, camp craft projects (if any), bank money, etc.
4444444444444444444444444-H!
