SmokeSignals Blog

Every Merri-Mac camper dreads the day when Anne Boyd passes out white song sheets and says, “Lets practice Lakeside songs”.  Instead of cheering on our tribes for another 10 minutes, every camper must come to terms with the fact that camp will soon be over. As we sing, there is an unspoken air of sadness, everyone realizing they will have to say goodbye.

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

The bugle blared bright and early this Friday morning as a new day began at Camp Merri-Mac. Yesterday the sun set with fencing bars, White Feather, and the legendary Merri-Mac talent show. Jiselle H, Victoria B, Sophia E, Virginia C, Samantha F, Taylor T, Elizabeth I, Eleanor B, Kate H, Mattie C, and Isabel E. all earned their bronze bars in fencing just before dinner. And the day couldn’t have ended more perfectly than the Merri-Mac girls showcasing their talents in music, drama, and dancing. Comet, Sunnyside, and the staff all performed skits, while Nicki G. recited a monologue and Emma R. mimed. Cheerleading also performed a routine. Lainey G., Natalie, Rachel D., Isabel E., Stewart Ann M., Ana R., Chloe R., Cece B., Adair C., Arianna J., Emily M., and Katherine G. captivated the audience with their voices as each sang amazing covers to various songs. All in all, the talent show was a huge success; Merri-Mac definitely has star potential.

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

Just another glorious day here at Camp Merri-Mac! We have had a lot of excitement these past few days and it has culminated to a wonderful day of rest! Girls have been yelling for their tribes, getting primped for the infamous Rockmont dance, and diving into the Word. It’s been an all around fantastic time at camp.

At lunch yesterday, the girls received a coveted invitation from the boys at Camp Rockmont and after the news was delivered the girls were sprinting up Senior Hill to get ready. By dinner, the body mists had cleared and there were just murmurs of anticipation. “We had been waiting since the Fourth to be able to go,” said Sunny Sider,  Sammy G, “it really is a great time to be able to hang out with both Hollymont and Rockmont.” The girls were invited by the gentlemen of Rockmont, to attend a dance and watch fireworks. It is a great opportunity for the girls to get out the hair-straighters and out of the normal camp attire. Caroline C, said “It was so much fun! The fireworks were great and I really enjoyed the opportunity to get dressed up and hang out with all my friends!”

The Tweedles didn’t attend Rockmont, but the had plenty of their own fun! All three Tweedle cabins invited some of the other staff at camp to “Sockmont,” which is a way more fun, super exciting dance party that comes with ice cream and sweet tunes! One Tweedle Dum camper, Elizabeth I. said “I loved dancing and eating ice cream! I also was glad we had fireworks and didn’t have to go and dance with boys!” Not only was there dancing and ice cream, but Tweedles got to stay up one hour later to watch fireworks at camp. It was such a great time to just get our groove on and love camp!

Luckily for all the campers and for many of the counselors today is Sunday, and that means that we get tons of opportunities to relax and sleep. Rest hour is a full hour and there is a bunch of free time to kick back, take a nap, or catch up on activities.

Sundays are also special because it gives campers the ability to make chapel their own, and that’s just what Rainbow did this morning. Chapel focused on how God makes us all uniquely and especially beautiful.  The girls wore shirts that had various insecurities on them and as chapel progressed the insecurities were removed to show that we are all beautiful. It was an amazing thing to witness. Liz K. talked about how the scripture really spoke to her; she said that one of the main things that she took away from the message was “When your mind is on Christ, it completely affects your actions.”

That idea really got applied today when we had free swim. Ansley B. told me she was nervous to get in the water because it was so cold, but “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13.” It is absolutely amazing to see God working through all the campers. It really shows so much, and it happens in different ways. You never know what He is going to use. Grace H. said “It was so awesome to see Elizabeth C. play in chapel, and it was even better to witness her getting her gold bar.” Elizabeth was able to earn her gold bar by performing with her cabin today. He is on the move is so many great ways!

We had many special birthdays and trips today. Emerson E. and Addie H. celebrated their birthdays today along with Merri-Mac camp directorAdam Boyd. Big Dipper also got to go on a trip to the Boyd’s house to make cupcakes and spend some time in fellowship together.

We are so excited for the rest of the week, and I am personally getting a little sad that it is coming to a close so quickly. It has been such a great day at camp. Sundays allow for a recharge, and for camp to take on completely new meaning to many of the staff and campers. I just love Sundays at camp, you can’t get a better day; food, fellowship, and sleep. Until tomorrow!

GO SEMINOLES!! TWEEDLES ROCK THE HOUSE!

Annie-Grace Shaffer

Tweedle Dum

Seminole

Some may say that the first day of camp can be drab with all the safety talks and such, but this is a false notion. There was tons of fun had at Camp Merri-Mac today. We started out the day with a delicious breakfast of eggs, hash browns, sausage, and of course a large helping of singing fun songs. We then proceeded to chapel where we learned about the prodigal son and how His father wanted a personal relationship with him, as does Jesus with all of us.

After chapel, the girls got ready for their first day of classes. As I made my way around camp, I saw many excited faces and smiles. I passed by the Little Dipper porch hearing the notes of a Taylor Swift song being learned by the guitar and ukulele class. At the tennis courts the beginners were learning forehands and the advanced players were having an intense game of doubles Queen-of-the-Court. I saw impressive points played by Jill R., Kaitlyn R., Juliana R., and Tracy Z. I stopped by the traverse wall just in time to learn how to tie a figure eight follow through from sunnysiders Abby M. and Kate P.. I headed over to the dock to find the canoeing class singing the T-grip song to learn parts of the paddle, but there’s no surprise there – us Merri-Mac girls love to sing about anything and everything. They were learning all the parts of the boat and paddle, which is knowledge needed to gain a bronze bar in canoeing. The kayaking class was learning safety procedures and many were undoubtedly enjoying their first kayaking experience in the new and improved Lake Doris. After leaving the dock, I stopped by the barn to see the girls trotting and doing jumps. It sure was incredible! At Macky’s green I found the soccer class dribbling, passing, and finishing with a relay race. The cheerleaders had just learned a new cheer and were coming up with fun ways to perform it. I must say opera style was my favorite. Dance class was meeting on the balance beam to work on balance and partner skills. Camp craft was on the low ropes course learning safety and team-building. The Enchanted Barn was next on my journey and there I found the art class making frame cards. Olivia D. made a card with a horse on it – how beautiful!

After a wonderful lunch of hamburgers and singing tribe songs (which was undoubtedly very exciting for girls who were initiated into their lifelong tribes last night) the girls headed to rest time. The girls love rest time… because after that comes Trading Post! Oh the joys of Dr. Pepper sipped through sour punch straws and Hershey’s washed down with an ice cold Yoohoo. I stopped by volleyball just in time to see the end of Queen-of-the-Court. Now, it was a very exciting day at the fencing pavilion. Julia P. received her bronze bar and Bailey Weed pulled out a close victory over Bianca P. to win the Merri-Mac Fencing Tournament.

Needless to say, it was a very fun and eventful day at Merri-Mac. This evening all the cabins are participating in cabin night, which is a fun time of bonding with fellow cabin mates. Comet cabin headed up to the council ring to make s’mores… what could be better? (I better run and join them!) I might have to stop by the spa nights going on in Stardust and Big Dipper, or perhaps sneak in a turn on the blob with Blue Heaven? The Tweedles are camping out tonight- how fun! It is camp, after all. Today was so much fun… I just can’t wait for the rest of camp. I know it will be a blast!

Kaylee Burgess
Comet Counselor
Tennis Instructor
Proud Choctaw!

This beautiful day in July marked both an end and a new beginning. It was the last day of session 1B. The Merri-Mac girls came down to enjoy a big breakfast and then they joined hands to sing the Friendship Circle songs on the Back Green. It was a sweet and loving way to say, “See you later.” Then classes resumed as usual!

In horseback riding today Cade, Mary and Carnie M. cantered around and around in the arena. Carnie has come a long way in such a short period of time, working on her leg position and proper control of the horse at a walk, trot and canter. Cade had a huge smile on her face since she was riding her favorite pony, Bella. Mary rode a big chestnut mare named Addie and made her trot around the arena with ease. In canoeing, Virginia, Madeline M. and Catherine M. practiced controlling each canoe by themselves. Then they joined Sara Kate P., Olivia B., Gia W. and Mary Helen P. to blob! They flew into the air over Lake Doris. Mary Helen P. and Catherine M. blobbed over and over again! They couldn’t get enough! Over at the Traverse Wall, Kate S. climbed across the wall like Spiderman with the help of her spotters Eiley M. and Honor W. The beautiful music from the Chorus class was drifting through the air as Delaney L., Stephanie C., Emily M., Laura M., Leah F., Ellie B., Christina C., Kate S., Logan R. and Grace E. practiced their singing in the Chapel.

Down at team sports Jessica T., from Little Dipper, and her team faced off against Kristy G.’s team in a great game of volleyball! The final score, kept by “the best score keeper ever” Audrey H., was 19-18! Right next to this fun game was an intense game of tetherball between Blue Heaven’s Kristen D. and Moonmist’s Reily B.. They each held their own and after fifteen minutes they called it a truce. Apparently they were very evenly matched! Back down at the Riding Arena Emma G. was working on her jumping with a black and white pony named Kody. Sarah K. was learning how to calm her seat in order to slow the striding of the horse she was riding, Dixie. Olivia J., Jessica T.and Hannah G. were also working on controlling their horses over jumps. Over at Lake Doris in the swimming class Caroline O. was swimming laps in order to improve her speed. Up on Senior Hill, the guitar class was strumming away. Ariana J. was working on getting her bronze bar. She is nearly there! Katy S. was learning to play Adele’s Turning Tables and Ingrid Michaelson’s The Chain. Bailey A. and Emily R. were also there both practicing their awesome strumming skills! Just around the corner from them the archery class was in full swing. Mya S., Sydney A. and Madeline M. were working on their aim. Kristy G. and Audrey H. were practicing in order to get their bronze bars and Emily M. was also working hard to earn her silver bar in archery. They are all really, really close to achieving their goals!

Next came lunch during which all the Merri-Mac girls enjoyed chicken nuggets and french fries! Ellie M. said the french fries were “extremely delicious and perfectly crispy”. After lunch the girls were all surprised when they found out that third and fourth period were cancelled. Instead Merri-Mac was going to enjoy an afternoon of Free Swim in Lake Doris!! The girls loved diving into the water on such a hot day. Lots of them did the blob for the first time or for the twentieth time! It was a wonderful, cool way to have awesome fellowship together. The waterfront was full of laughter and an all around good time! The fun didn’t stop there. Tonight’s evening activity was one of the girls’ favorites- Battle Ball! Everyone joined in for a night of fun and great sportsmanship!

July 1st was a unique day since it was the end of a session. Due to all of the incredible girls we have staying with us and our awesome staff the somber goodbyes were followed up with joy and excitement for the girls arriving tomorrow! We cherished the time spent with the amazing 1B girls. It was an incredible session, but we are so pumped about meeting new friends and seeing old friends as well tomorrow! Session 1C- Get ready! It’s going to be AWESOME!!

Hannah Priewski
Riding Instructor
Moonmist Counselor
Proud Choctaw!!