The day after Christmas, while most MM&TL staff, alumni and campers were recovering from the festivities of Christmas, 9 MM & TL CITs were boarding an airplane, travling to Costa Rica for an adventure of a lifetime!

One of the first things our Guide, Carlos shared with us, is that we needed to learn the phrase Pura Vida. He said that if we can learn to say Pura Vida, we will get along alright in Costa Rica. Pura vida literally means Pura = pure and vida = life, but “Pure life” in Spanish would be “Vida pura” instead, so the real meaning is closer to “plenty of life”, “full of life”, “this is living!”, “going great”, “real living”,” Awesome!” or “cool!” It can be used both as a greeting and a farewell, to express satisfaction, to politely express indifference when describing something or even to say “thank you” or “you’re welcome”. The phrase has become universally known in Costa Rica.

Pura Vida became our battle cry as we were backpacking through the remote jungle, up and down the vicious and overgrown terrain. Pura Vida was our spirit as we harvested sugar cane to make brown sugar for the Village of Piedras Blancas or moved 100s of lbs of sand and rocks to build a new foundation for a bridge that was damaged in flood waters during the rainy season. Pura Vida was the gift we received from the gentleness and hospitality of our hosts families in the village of Piedras Blancas as we ate meals together, played with children and became part of the family. Pura Vida was our exhilaration as we rappelled down a 90 waterfall, rafted 17 miles down the class IV Sevegre River and learned to surf in the warm waters of the Pacific.

One of the reasons each individual was on this adventure is because they will be CITs this summer at either Camp Merri-Mac or Camp Timberlake and this was one of the options of training for the summer. The training focused on the characteristics of leadership that we hope for at MM&TL. Each night we explored different aspects of leadership such as servant leadership, leadership as influence, humility, self-awareness and integrity. We were able to connect not only the moments from our trip, but also moments from life at home to these concepts of leadership.

One of the most vivid moments was at the end of our hike on the first night. After 9 miles of extremely rugged terrain, we hiked into our campsite. We all were completely exhausted. Despite being ready to throw in the towel and curl up on a tuft of jungle moss and mud for the night, there were things that had to be done. We needed food, shelter and to take care of our personal needs. In the wilderness, each one of these needs takes extraordinarily more time and effort to complete. The moment demanded that each member of the group choose to be selfless by first managing personal needs and then tending to each other and the tasks at hand. This was critical because it was not about being comfortable, it was about being safe. With out the calories of food, we would not be able to continue. With out the protection of shelter, we would be exposed to the elements. It demanded a sacrifice on the part of each individual to accomplish the basic necessities for our group to be safe. Each member contributed there different gifts and strengths to the task at hand.

The CITs on this great adventure will share Costa Ricas Pura Vida with Merri-Mac and Timberlake this summer so that the campers, staff and community around us may experience life that God has given us to the fullest!

Ryan Carlson
Director of Black Mountain Expeditions

The concrete foundation walls are up and Tree Top is starting to take shape.

It is all pretty exciting around here because we have also decided to take on yet another project, the Lodge is getting a much needed face lift! Why would we do that you might be asking yourself? Well, ultimately because we love you girls and a lot of Sunnysiders weren’t going to be able to be here without us doing something drastic. We fill up really quickly after camp (never forget to early enroll people!) and it was heartbreaking to us that some really sweet girls were going to miss out on their last summer with us due to lack of space. So for the first time ever, the Lodge is going to have campers living in it! Aren’t we crazy? Maybe a little bit. But it is going to be nice. Check out the progress so far. You would never even know it was the Lodge.

And then we put in some pretty stone steps on the bank up by the canoe shack too! Because why not?

Happy Camping! (Especially to you Sunnysiders)

From all of us here at Merri-Mac

It was amazing to catch up with folks from the summer. I was reminded again of just how blessed we are to have such a great group of people surrounding camp.

We even had an appearance from “Virtual Dave” at the Staff reunion.  It was nice to see her wandering around the party on Brie’s Ipad.  Very nice touch, Dave!

It is hard to believe that camp is just around the corner.  After Christmas it seems like the snowball of camp preparation really begins to grow larger and head down the mountain!  We are getting super excited and can’t wait for June. What about you?  Are you ready for camp?

That is right!  We are hitting the road to see you guys.  Especially during the months of October and November Adam, Anne and Dan travel around the country to show the video to potential camp families, answer any camp questions, and provide a venue for you to remember how cool your summer is at camp!  It is kind of like a little camp reunion in your own hometown!

We would love to see you at one of these so here is a list of where we will be during our Fall travel season:

Oct. 4th-Salisbury, NC at the Dees home 6:30pm
Oct. 5th-Lexington, SC at the Johnson’s 6pm
Oct. 7th-Ocala, FL at the Cope’s 6pm
Oct. 8th-Miami, FL at the Dominguez home 4pm
Oct.9th-Boca Raton, FL at the Marano home 3pm
Oct. 10-Naples, FL at the Chur home 6:30pm
Oct. 11- Naples, FL at the Vedder home 6pm
Oct. 13-Tampa, FL at the Skidmore home 6:30pm
Oct. 14th-St. Pete, FL at the Burtch home 6pm
Oct. 14th-Charlotte, NC at the Marks home 6pm
Oct. 15th-Tampa, FL at the Columbus home 4:30pm
Oct. 16th-Acworth, GA at the Sullivan home 4pm
Oct. 17th-Canton, GA at the Murphy home 6pm
Oct. 17th-Melbourne, FL at the Jameson home 6pm
Oct. 18th-UGA staff visit
Oct. 18th-Raleigh, NC at the Carr home 6pm
Oct. 19th-Cary, NC at the Ban home 6:30pm
Oct. 23rd-Dublin, GA at the Gay home 4pm
Oct. 24th-Valdosta, GA at the Tillman home 7pm
Oct. 25th-Columbia, SC at the Mathews 6:30pm
Oct. 27th-Atlanta, GA at the Spicher home 6:30pm
Oct. 28th-Jacksonville, FL at the Huntley home 6pm
Oct. 30th-Asheville, NC at the Vickery home 2pm
Nov. 1st-Cary, NC at the Soeder home 6pm
Nov. 2nd-Atlanta, GA at the Drury home 6:30pm
Nov. 3rd-Durham, NC at the Hight home 6pm
Nov. 3rd-Birmingham, AL at the Garrison home 6pm
Nov. 4th-Birmingham, AL at the Culver home 6:30pm
Nov. 5th-New Orleans, LA at the Rigby home 3pm
Nov. 6th-Nashville, TN at the Hale home 4pm
Nov. 7th-Jackson, MS at the Morse home 6pm
Nov. 7th-Spartanburg, SC at the Ellis home 6:30pm
Nov. 8th-Ridgeland, MS at the Burrow home 6pm
Nov. 8th-St. Louis, MO at the Baur home 6pm
Nov. 8th-Nashville, TN at the Ayers home 6:30pm
Nov. 10th-Jackson, MS at the Lange home 6pm
Nov. 10th-Princeton, KY at the Englebright home 6pm
Nov. 13th-Oxford, MS at the Best home 4pm
Nov.14th-Hickory, NC at the Holtzman home 6:30pm

If you see your town on this list then please give us a call if you want directions to attend.  We would love to see you!

Happy Camping!

Director Dan

During this time the school’s faculty works with BME director, Ryan Carlson, to give these students a true camp experience.  They do team building exercises, learn archery, climbing, play battleball, etc. (the Sultan of fun even showed up one evening to lead Sock War!).  But then they have integrated in their own curriculum that supports what they have been learning back at school.  Needless to say, this is pretty cool stuff.

If you are ever interested in having your school come to camp for this sort of thing please have someone from your school give Ryan a call.  We would love to work with you!

Happy Camping!

Director Dan

First, girls are different when there are no boys in the room.  They get very loud, they laugh more, they are not afraid to look silly, and they are not afraid to be athletic, or leaders, or followers.  Our girls are made to engage the world around them and when it is just girls they have the freedom to do this without any concern what any boy might think about it.  An all-girl’s camp is a safe place for our campers to figure out who God has made them to be.

Next, living together is completely different than being dropped off at 8:00 and picked up at 3:00.   When children live together they develop a sense of empathy that is difficult to find in other places.  The result is they find themselves cheering for friends and family, not just randomly selected teams.  Even when they do not win, they are proud of each other.

Finally, and we are made to be challenged, grow and succeed.  When a girl has the freedom to fail without anyone laughing about it, she has the freedom to try new things, and when she does this she is not afraid of challenges.  Of course growth and success are then just right around the corner.  When they see their friends grow and succeed, they begin cheering…very loudly.  It’s very loud here.

Adam (is now further behind in office work)

Last nights evening activity was White Feather and Fine Arts Night! After dinner, the girls headed up to the Teepee to sit around the campfire for our White Feather Ceremony! Many girls were promoted last night! In Junior Camp: Kate A., Rachel H., Jarrett B., and Molly H. were promoted to the rank of Tumbleweed. Lizzie H. and Ava D. were promoted to the rank of Groundhog. In Senior Camp: Berkleigh H. Elenor P., Natalie S., Julia M., Lawton N., Sydney B., Sydney H., Gracie Rae H., Leah B., Colombe H., Laura B., Colombe H., Laura L., Olivia K., Carleigh W., Melanie G., Millie M., and Marit S. were promoted to the rank of Arrow. Alex L., Katherine O., Anna B., Courtney B., Sophia H., Taylor T., Yamille G., Alice C., and Kirstie H. were promoted to Crazy Creek. Vanessa D., Mary Laci M., Ameila G., Emma J., Becca M., Katie S., Maggie S., Anna Sutton W., Anna B., Shawn C., and Sophie H. were promoted to Long Bow. Anabel M. was promoted to Running Deer. Hamilton I., Sarah L., Sara W., and Meredith S. were promoted to Red Tail.

In Fine Arts Night many girls performed and showed off their talents! Some of our cheerleading, guitar, and dance classes perfumed! Margaret C. and Heather M. performed monologues! The chorus classes performed routines to Wicked’s “Popular” and Hairspray’s “Good Morning Baltimore”. Some of the dance routines included songs: “Angel”, “When It Don’t Come Easy”, “Jai Ho”, and “Proud Mary”! Even some girls did a fencing routine with a choreographed dance! We enjoyed each act! The girls all did a fabulous job and we are proud of each one of them!

This Morning we woke up with mixed feelings about the day to come! Although each girl was excited to see her friends and family, this meant leaving our friends behind in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

This morning started with a breakfast of delicious Coffee Cake and Breakfast Burritos!  After breakfast, the girls headed outside to “Friendship Circle” on the back green! In this ceremony the girls all stood in a circle and held hands, singing songs which described memories, friendships, and finally goodbye! “mmhm, I want to linger… mmhm, a little longer… mmhm, a little longer here with you.” Campers and Staff alike dread singing these songs because they know that means one thing…goodbye is near! Each girl hugged her cabin-mates, and new friends, which marked the beginning of a day filled with hugs, pictures, and exchanging of addresses and phone numbers! They “lingered” on the Green as long as they could as if staying there would mean goodbye would never come.

The girls headed up to their cabins to prepare for classes, all the while listening for her name to be called to run down the hill and meet her family at the front porch!

While in classes today, Fitness went to the lake and went synchronized swimming. In Riflery, the girls played a game of Taboo with Climbing third period today! In Drama the girls played dress up and performed a skit for Victoria Y., the drama instructor. Anabel M. got her gold in canoeing!  In Archery the girls shot the targets and worked towards their bars!

For lunch today the girls ate a camp favorite meal of Chicken Nuggets and French Fries! The girls ate Cookies for dessert!

During 4^th period the girls headed to Lake Dorris for a free swim filled with blobbing, diving, kayaking, and sunbathing! It was a lot of fun to have everyone swimming and sharing time together at our newly beautifully updated Lake Dorris!

The girls headed down the hill to dinner, where we ate pasta, broccoli, and bread sticks! For dessert we had another camp favorite—fudge bars!

After dinner, each girl headed up the hill to change into her swim suit and grab a towel to head back to Lake Dorris for a camp free swim! After free swim, they returned to their cabins and prepared for another great day at camp tomorrow!

To all of our parents: thank you for offering us this wonderful experience at camp! We cannot wait to tell you all about it! Every friendship and memory created here are only possible because of YOU! We love you all very much and are thinking of and praying for you always!

Although we are sad to see so many smiling faces go, we look forward to sharing another great two weeks with your daughters!

“Best Friends Forever means never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart!”

We LOVE you Merri-Mac beauties!

“And as the years go by, ill think of you inside, this is goodnight and not goodbye!”

Maddy Cristina

Stardust Camper 2003 and Counselor 2011

Cheerleading Instructor

PROUD Seminole!

Photography by Wendy Perry

That night Merri-Mac tribal leaders hand their girls their candles and plates, the silence ban goes on, and they all walk down to the lake for Lakeside.  This longstanding tradition has marked the end of the summer for over 67 years.  Campers young and old can recall the same sights and sounds, extending the Merri-Mac family into the past, present, and future.

The tribes take their seats around the lake and one brave from each tribe swims their torch to the fire dock, igniting the light and beginning the ceremony.  The Chiefs and Medicine Men get into their canoes and paddle around the roaring fire in the middle of the lake.  These brave leaders take the flame from the fire dock and bring it back to their tribe.  All the while, the campers and staff sing, filling the air with words of friendship and love.

The staff begin lighting their candles singing, “It only takes a spark, to get a fire going” and the campers follow suit.  Each camper makes a wish on their plate as they place it onto the water.  The lake fills with light and wishes as the campers make their way towards their cabins.  Everyone lingers by the boat house to say their goodbyes.  Counselors try to usher their campers to the cabins, but they are persuaded to linger by the tears streaming down their campers faces.

Lakeside is a beautiful ceremony that holds sentimental value to hundreds of campers past and present.  This tradition ties current campers to the extensive Merri-Mac family and deepens our love for Christ, and each other.  The friendships made at Merri-Mac merit this extensive and meaningful goodbye. We hope that you will enjoy these pictures of our most meaningful evening activities.

~Lee Bolton
Proud Seminole
14 time Lakeside Attendee

Photography by Wendy Perry

But this morning, the campers readily woke in anticipation of Farmer Friday and Tribefest. Girls pulled on cowboy boots and flannel shirts over their tribe jerseys and raced down to the dining hall to dig into some coffee cake and baked oatmeal. Then they headed to the chapel and learned about the character of Jesus as counselor Annie-Grace Shaffer taught from the first chapter of Ephesians. Finally, the word was given – change into your bathing suits and get ready for Swim Fest! Decked out in tribal gear, the campers filed down to the lake behind a golf cart decorated with Seminole, Choctaw, and Iroquois colors to cheer on their swim competitors.

In the junior category, Isabel O., Mary Ellison, Ellie J., Lexy S., Sophia E. and Virginia C. competed in backstroke; Mary Ellison, Katherine F., Lexy S., Ellie J., Grace A. and Stewart Ann swam breast stroke; Isabel O., Katherine F., Elizabeth I., Laura S., Grace, and Virginia swam freestyle; and Mary Ellison, Katherine F., Isabel O., Michelle W., Ellie J., Lara S., Taylor T., Stewart Ann, Eleanor, Vicki, and Virginia represented their tribes in the junior life-vest relay.

In the intermediate category, Olivia K., Alina, Kate H., Sarah English, Sophia B., and Emily H. swam butterfly; Olivia K., Victoria, Ashlynn K., Juliana R., Ansley B., and Shay A. competed in backstroke; Alina, Addison, Morgan P., Sarah English, Emily H., and Addie swam breaststroke; andAlina, Olivia K., Holland, Addison, Ashlynn K., Kate H., Juliana R., Morgan P., Grace P., Sophia B., Yaara, and Caroline L. all represented their tribes in the medley relay.

In the senior category, Sarah Beth, Nicki G., Ellie T., Cassidy H., Caroline C., and Caroline A. competed for the butterfly; Sarah Beth, Laura, Cassidy H., Katie S., Bailey A. and Bianca P. swam backstroke; Arianna, Isabel, Abbie T., Ellie T., Caroline A. and Audrey A. swam breast stroke; Catherine, Madison, Mary Helen P., Sarah Kate P., Caroline C., and Bailey A.competed in freestyle; and Laura, Sarah Beth, Arianna, Catherine, Cassidy H., Ellie T., Abbie T., Sarah Kate P., Bailey A., Caroline C., Caroline A., and Bianca P. Represented their tribes in the medley relay.
After the intense competition of Swim Fest, the girls put aside their differences, linked arms and headed to lunch with their cabins. At the end of lunch, the results were in – Iroquois won Swim Fest and Choctaw won Spirit Points!

The afternoon saw an hour of rest time and free time until 4:30 pm, when tribes met again to plan and hold try outs for Field Day. Only time can tell to see which tribe will prevail to win Field Day…

Until then, Merri-Mac family, sleep well and wait for the rooster to crow (or the bugle to blare) once more tomorrow morning!

Hilary Sayre

Moonmist

July 8, 2011