Throughout all our camp days...

Throughout all our camp days...

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - We'll be pals true blue...

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Staff is nearly full, as are our camper spots, and we're turning our focus to getting ready for summer. The camper packets should be out soon! We are also about to re-start all of our construction projects around camp (it can be tough to build in the dead of winter!). The next things to happen will be a roof on the Archery Pavilion and a covered firing range on the new riflery range.

From the Mailbag:

Tristan H. wrote to say, "I am looking forward to going for four weeks. Also I was wondering whether an 11 year old girl would be in the seniors or the juniors?" It could go either way Tristan. We'll be making final cabin assignments soon. Rachael S. shares, "Hey Yall! I miss camp like crazy! It's not right for someone to wait this long for the best part of their year: ( I wish I could be at camp ALL YEAR LONG!) I think about all the girls from Comet '07 24/7/365. Can't wait to see everyone this summer! CHOCTAWS GONNA WIN THE BANNER!" Rachael is not the only one cheering for Choctaws. Macky's Bulletin Board has had lots of Choctaw cheering lately too. Finally, Mary Page spent a day with Brianna D. at her new school in Asheville last week. Brianna is doing great!

We also hear from Anne A. what a wonderful time she is having in Costa Rica. She bought the sixth Harry Potter book and is reading it in Spanish!

We're doing great here too, and looking forward to having Merri-Mac back together soon!

From This Haven...

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Folks!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Folks!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - 110 more days!

Greetings from Camp Merri-Mac!

Now is the time we all start getting excited about the summer. It's almost March, and camp doesn't seem so far away anymore. The daylilies are already starting to pop up around camp, Bobby has made some adjustments to the water slide to make the ride down a little less bumpy and even Merri and Mac seem to sense the time is drawing near. Donna and Samantha take them for a walk around camp everyday so they can get their exercise, but it's just not the same as keeping up with you guys!

From the Mailbag:

From the campers we hear that Lanier L. is returning and has gotten her best friend to come to camp with her. Lia S. writes, "Hey guys!!! I miss camp soooo much!!!! I can't wait. Merri-Mac '08 is going to be the best!!! Well, my news is that my soccer team is going to the championship game on Wednesday, February 20th!!! And, Morgan B., if you're reading this, I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!" From Ann G. we hear, "Well, I have just had the most amazing month! The first weekend in February, Jill, Rachel, and I went to New Orleans to stay with Mary L. for Mardi Gras, which was SO MUCH FUN!! We even saw Brittany! Then this weekend Abby came to stay with me at Jill's house and we went to see Becca's play. She left this morning, which was sad, but we'll all be together again in 110 days! WOOHOO!!" Ann, we can all get excited about that too! There are lots of you guys getting together out there. Chelsea D. writes, "Hi everyone! I am so excited to get back to camp, but I have been lucky enough to see some camp girls this year. Last month I visited Gibbs and saw Haley, Maggie, and Sam, and this weekend I am going to Wake Forest and staying with Sassie! Miss you all! XOXO." Chelsea, be sure and tell Sassie we said "hello!"

Adam is on the road in Virginia and will be in Charlottsville tonight with the McNellys. He had a great meeting in Roanoke with the Mertens last night and had a wonderful time meeting many potential campers but especially enjoyed his time with the Mertens and some Merri-Mac girls: Sarah and Anna, as well as Tessa S.

The exciting news of the week...Page Porter and Lindsay Brasington are hired for this summer! Yes, we are as excited as you are to have them back.

From this Haven,

Adam and Ann

We hope you're feeling fine!

We hope you're feeling fine!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - Smile! Smile! Let me see you smile!

Good Moring All You Merri-Mac Girls!

We are writing this as quickly as we can because Camp is losing power today! Our next step in making camp beautiful is to put some of our power lines under ground so when you drive up next summer the thing to notice is what is not there. We are also busy ordering our new camp clothing this week. Be sure to let us know if you have anything you would like to see us order. Finally, we thought you might like to know that the Merri-Mac barn is keeping busy this year. Jan began a year round riding program at camp so some of our favorite horses have stayed with us. Cody says hi!

From the campers we have word that Marissa D. is looking forward to starting boarding school next year. Don't worry, she's still coming to camp. Mary Page is planning on visiting Brianna D. at her school tomorrow and Ann sees Lillie M. and Adair every Sunday because she teaches their Sunday School class. They're both doing great and looking forward to camp. Finally Rylie B. wrote to say "I now have a baby sister! Her name is Brooke and she is SO cute!"

Adam just came back from a trip meeting new campers in Atlanta and is about to go to Virginia where he will see Lang M., and all the Mertens (they have 4 campers!). After that he will be turning his attention full time to staff because there is not much room left for new campers.

Stephen is also on his way to VA today as he goes to Va. Tech. to meet new boating and climbing counselors. Vanessa borrowed a camp boat so she can get more time on the river before camp starts and our favorite news...Dave wrote to say hi.

From This Haven...

Adam and Ann

If I had the wings of a turtle dove...

If I had the wings of a turtle dove...

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - straight to Camp Merri-Mac I'd fly!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

February is a favorite month at camp because this is the time we begin getting ready for camp in earnest. While we are still traveling meeting new campers and staff, we are also starting to plan all of our programs for this summer. Adam has been busy preparing to take our climbing program to the next level by scouting for new rock. Ann is preparing for staff discipleship by finishing her third seminary class. Dan and Stephen are busy putting the final touches on staff. And everyone is beginning to put our sights on the 2009 launch of our new High School Adventure Travel program (more to come!).

We're also putting the final touches on some of our new construction jobs. We are putting the overhead wires around the Big House underground, replacing bathrooms, building a new counselor section and deck on Comet, building a new covered firing range for Archery, rebuilding our riflery range, and lots of other smaller projects. So there are a lot of things to look forward to this summer. Don't worry, the most important parts will never change!

From the Mailbag:

Anne Archer wrote from Costa Rica saying, "It's beautiful and warm here! I am having an amazing time. I've spent the last 2 weekends at the beach, and seeing waterfalls, volcanoes, and doing canopy tours through the rainforest, and I love my Spanish classes! I hope everything is going great at camp!" P.D. wrote to say, "Hey everybody! I have been missing camp so much lately. I guess it's just that time of the year. I just wanted to tell you all that I miss you so much and I love you! I can't wait to see all of your beautiful, smiling faces again. Also, I am going to be an Aunt again in March; both my sister and my sister-in-law are having babies at the end of March! :)" Finally, Allison says, "I'm going to camp Merri-Mac again!" Allison, we're just as excited as you are...and can't wait to see you all!

From This Haven...

Adam and Ann