Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Thursday, October 08, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - Camp is looking beautiful in the Fall.

There is a lot happening in our little corner of the NC mountains. The Tucker Inn expansion is exceeding our expectations (it is going to be beautiful), Anne is in NC meeting new camp families, and Adam is in South Florida doing the same. We would love to invite your friends to join us too so send us an email with any friends' addresses you would like us to mail brochures to.

Black Mountain Expeditions is picking up momentum. We have some Spring Break trips lined up climbing in Joshua Tree, CA and have added a 1 week NC Adventure. Care to join us for a Wilderness Leadership Adventure?

Fall is falling at camp. It is in the low 70's each day and low 50's at night, so Lake Doris is starting to get cold but we are already putting our eye in it warming up in June!

From this Haven...

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Friday, October 02, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - Merri-Mac is looking nice in the Fall!

It has been quite a week. We've hired lots of CIT's and a few JC's. You can go to the Merri-Mac Facebook page for a full accounting. We've also been busy with a new expansion to our beloved Tucker Inn. Don't worry, it will just give us a little more room to move around while we eat and sing!

We've also begun taking applications for our Mother/Daughter weekend in May. We are hoping that this will be a good chance for a pre-camp reunion. We'd love to have you join us so check it out!

Adam is on the road, seeing camp families in Georgia and Florida. Last night he saw Kate S. in Tampa, and before that it was Laura and Julia K. in Ocala and Elizabeth W. in Valdosta. Tonight it is the Bogdhans in Winterhaven and then down to St. Pete to see the Frees. It has been a great trip so far and we are looking forward to having a lot of their friends join us.

How Well Do YOU Know Merr-Mac?

We've created the first Merri-Mac Trivia Quiz! If you score above a 93% on the quiz, take a screenshot of your score and send it to annearcher@merri-mac.com, and she'll send you a great prize! (You must be a camper to win the prize, but we encourage everybody to test their knowledge!)

Seven new Merri-Mac hires!

We are happy to announce that we've hired back seven Merri-Mac girls: Clare S., Abby G., Christina H., Kate M., Melinda R., Olivia H., and Haley F.!! Congratulations, girls.

From The Mail Bag:

Nurse Paige and Andie K. joined us in Valdosta but before that they wrote saying, "We are settling into school life, but Merri-Mac and Timberlake are never far from our hearts. The kids regularly talk about how much fun they had and they have pumped up their little brother and sister to come next summer! And then fun doesn't stop with the kids.....this big kid loved being a camp nurse and considers her two weeks at camp the highlight of the summer! Missing those beautiful mountains and more beautiful people!" Sarah L. wrote to say "I miss all the camp ladies tremendously! I was so privileged to be the Seminole Med Man and I'm so happy that we were able to win the banner. I miss all of my friends and hopefully will see all of y'all next year!" From Hannah we hear a hearty "Congratulations to the new cits. I just wish I could live at Merri-Mac all year long. I miss my tribe as normal and I miss my friends. It stinks because I have to wait almost one more year till I get to go back." Next Kathy G. wrote to say, "I already can't wait to come back next year! I started the second grade and began competing in my first gymnastics meets. I will be traveling across my state (Alabama) as I compete. So far, I have come in third in all-around in my division! I have also been writing my new friends from Merri-Mac. I am looking into attending the Mother/Daughter weekend at camp. I hope to see my friends there!"

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann

Merri-Mac is on the move!

Merri-Mac is on the move!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - Merri-Mac dining hall pictures!

So even though it has rained for almost five days straight, we are still people of action here at Camp Merri-Mac. No rain will slow us down! The dining hall project is in full swing (I have included some pictures over there). And we just about have our travel schedules complete for October and November. So far they are as follows:

Sept. 29- Valdosta, GA (The Wilson's)

Sept. 30- Ocala, Fl (The Klein's)

Oct. 1- Tampa, Fl (The Sweeney's)

Oct. 2- Winter Haven, Fl (the Bogdahn's)

Oct. 3- St. Pete, Fl (the Free's)

Oct. 4- Greenville, NC (the Morgan's)

Oct. 4- Lakeland, Fl (the Martinez's)

Oct. 5- Naples, Fl (the Tierney's)

Oct. 6- Goldsboro, NC (the Holzkamm's)

Oct. 6- Naples, Fl (the Whitesell's)

Oct. 7- Goldsboro, NC (the Hancock's)

Oct. 7- Boca Raton, Fl (the Renko's)

Oct. 8- Rocky Mount, NC (the Gutshall's)

Oct. 8- Boynton Beach, Fl (the Rodriguez's)

Oct. 9- Margate, Fl (the Palacio's)

Oct. 10- Palm City, Fl (the England's)

Oct. 11- Raleigh, NC (the Yerxa's)

Oct. 12- Durham, NC (the Quinn's)

Oct. 12- Raleigh, NC (the Schneider's)

Oct. 12- Orlando, Fl (the Rolls's)

Oct. 13- Chapel Hill, NC (the Hofmann's)

Oct. 13- Staff recruiting at RUF at UNC

Oct. 14- Chapel Hill, NC (the Hultman's)

Oct. 14- Suwanee, GA (the Adam's)

Oct. 15- Raleigh, NC (the Hunter's)

Oct. 17- Canton, GA (the Murphy's)

Oct. 18- Chapel Hill, NC (the Kayye's)

Oct. 19- Jackson, MS (the Brook's)

Oct. 20- Staff recruiting at NC State

Oct. 21- Jackson, MS (the Morse's)

Oct. 23- Oxford, MS (the Drummond's)

Oct. 24- Franklin, Tn (the Bittles)

Oct. 25- Charlotte, NC (the Smith's)

Oct. 28- Charlotte, NC (the Howell's)

Oct. 29- Concord, NC (the Rodriguez's)

Nov. 2- Atlanta, GA (the McGahan's)

Nov. 3- Dublin, GA (the Gay's)

Nov. 3- Rome, GA (the Schrimsher's)

Nov. 4- Gray, GA (the Lancaster's)

Nov. 4- Gainesville, Fl (the Perry's)

Nov. 5- Winter Haven, Fl (the Snively's)

Nov. 6- Tampa, Fl (the Showalter's)

Nov. 8- Daniel Island, SC (the Powell's)

Nov. 9- Savannah, GA (the Deal's)

Nov. 11- New Orleans, LA (the Rigby's)

Nov. 12- Mandeville, LA (the Holton's)

Nov. 12- Raleigh, NC (the Sealey's)

Nov. 14- Winston-Salem, NC (Sally Harper)

Nov. 15- Metairie, LA (the Silva's)

Nov. 19- Alexandria, LA (the Antoon's)

Nov. 19- Oxford, MS (the Byar's)

Nov. 22- Gulf Breeze, Fl (the Provosty's)

If you see your town on this list and want to celebrate Camp Merri-Mac from the comfort of your own hometown then please give us a call and we can get you directions. We hope that life is going well and hope to see you soon.

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - We're already gearing up for next summer!

Yesterday was a great day at camp. We got to hire our first CIT's. Lucy D., Leigh M., Brie D., and Kaitlyn R. are the first on the roster. Hiring staff is always fun because it reminds us that next summer is really coming. It has also been a fun week because we're hearing from more and more campers on Merri-Mac's Facebook and Twitter pages. Finally, the newest camp construction project is also underway. Does anyone know what it is?

From the Mailbag

Hannah showed her love of all tribes saying, "Good job Choctaw for winning the banner. I still wish that Seminoles had won but maybe we can win next year. I am so excited because next year I get to go to camp for 5 weeks and I am only going in Stardust. I just can't wait until camp next year." Daniella C. writes, "I miss waking up every morning with my sunspot girls and Jess and Lauren in my bed waking me up and saying good morning to me, so precious. I wish I could be at camp all year long!" Finally, from another SS girl, Jessy M. we hear, "I thought I would drop you a note from across the rather large pond, so here you go: I am back at school now, and I am having a great time. I seem to have an awful lot of work though. I would like to say a huge thank you, to everyone I met at camp this summer, especially all my sunny-girls! Camp is literally the best place in the world, and I can't believe how lucky I was to share it with you all. What a massive impact it has had on my life, it was truly a summer never to forget; what a huge leap forward you all helped me with in my faith! I have never met such a kind and loving bunch of girls, Merri-Mac through and through! I miss you all and think about you every single day, and I will always love you...until I go cray-cray !"

Drop us a line...we'd love to hear from you.

From This Haven...

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - Something's always happening at Merri-Mac!

It has been a busy week around camp and the best part was an unexpected visit from Hailey Fulford, Sarah Hord and Carlin Conner. Sarah and Hailey both learned their rolls in the lake and celebrated with a trip to the J. Crew outlet. Hmmm. We are also gearing up to begin calling staff. We had a lot of great girls we want back so you should drop them a note if you think to. Speaking of dropping notes, we sent out information about how to download camp directories. Let us know if you have any trouble accessing these online.

The new Merri-Mac Facebook page has been a huge success. We already have 356 fans, and we're just getting started. If you have not heard about it you should know that this is the place we will be making camp announcements. We will also be posting a devotion each week.

From the Mailbag

Meg M. wrote to say, "I'm already ready for camp to start again! I miss it with all my heart. I can't believe next year I'm going to be in Sunnyside! Well anyways, my life has been boring without all my Merri-Mac girls to spice up my life. I miss everyone tons!" Daniella C. chimes in from down south, "I just wanted to say that camp was one of the most amazing experiences in my life! Best two weeks ever! It was my dream since I was a little girl to go to a camp like this, and it was just all I expected and wanted and much more! It's all something I can't explain. It was amazing, how you can feel God clearly, the fun, the activities, the spirit, lovely and awesome girls, amazing counselors, directors, food and calories like a million and so much more. I'm so happy and thankful to God and my parents that I got to Merri-Mac! I will never forget it! I'm already at school and all I can think about is EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH CAMP! I've been telling many camp stories, singing of course, and my classmates and getting cray-cray about it, but I just can't stop! I MISS CAMP AND EVERYBODY SO MUCH....YOU WERE ALL SO AMAZING WITH ME....THANKS Y'ALL....I LOVE YOU! God bless you all. Hope you have an amazing school year!" Finally, Hannah shares, "What is new in my life is not waking up being surrounded my bffs. I miss Tweedle Dum a lot and I am already counting down till camp next year. I have decided to come to Merri-Mac for 5 weeks I am so excited."

Well, we're getting excited on our end too.

From This Haven...

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - We miss you here at Merri-Mac!

We miss you all so much that we have decided to work a little harder to keep in touch. First, we will be posting updates, staff news and comments you send in here each week. Next we will post the camper and counselor directories very soon on the web site. Third, we are building a new Merri-Mac Facebook page where we will post devotions (written by counselors), and other camp information. Finally, we are going to work even harder on the road in hopes of seeing more of you this fall and winter. Keep your eye out for an email with more detail soon, and if we do not have your email address then, by all means, send it on.

Staff News

The big news here is that Anne Archer is working with us year round. She is currently planning a trip through NC so let us know if you would like her to come to your house. Sarah Hord and Hailey Fulford are planning a trip to camp this week, and I suspect that one or two other counselors may join them. The CIT's have all sent in their applications and I get to start calling them next week.

From the Mail Bag

We want to hear from you so click on the "tell us" button and we'll post your comments here. With this in mind we have already heard from Lee B. the day after camp ended. "Heyy everyone! I just submitted my staff application! I feel 'too legit to quit" as Sunnyside would say! Anyway, I got home last night and I slept for 12 hours! I can't believe that my Sunnyside year has come and past SO quickly, but it was honestly the best summer of my life, just like I had dreamed it would be. I remember being in Tweedle Doe and looking up to those Sunnysiders so clearly. And I was one of them! And now I will hopefully be a CIT so I can continue to watch all of you campers grow in your walk with Christ. For all of these years camp has been all about serving me (the camper). But now it will be about me giving back to y'all and I can't wait! I have had so many fun memories at camp, and so many times when God picked me up when I was down. I am so nervous because I know that being a CIT will be hard, but I know that seeing your smiling faces everyday will make all of the work worth it a thousand times over. I know that next summer will be so much fun for everyone and I can't wait to start giving back to the place that changed my life forever. I love each and every one of you will all of my heart! P.S. Princess party is going to be amazing! I already have my theme ;)"

We'll be wondering about that theme and looking forward to hearing from each of you.

From This Haven...

Adam and Ann

Merri-Mac Happenings!

Merri-Mac Happenings!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

IMAGE CAPTION - Summer has landed!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Summer has landed at Merri-Mac. Camp is a beehive of activity as Bobby and the boys put their final touches on the property and our first counselors are arriving. Ryan is planning the Black Mountain Expedition adventure to the High Sierras, Ann is inventorying our clothing, Dan is organizing the world of Timberlake, and we're all getting excited for what is about to happen.

We've heard from a lot of you recently. Sadly we cannot post everyone's comments (there are just too many), but here are a few.

Kelly J. writes, "Just wanted to say hey... again! It's already May! I'll keep it short this time... Merri-Mac: WATCH OUT. The taking-over of Sunnyside oh nine is almost here. The girls of second session are not going to know what hit them... I'm not even joking. It's gonna be scary! (but awesome!) love you guys!" From Rachel Jordan we have word, "I'm SO excited for camp and I can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces!" Nina H. checked in saying, "Hey! Nothing much is happening with me, I'm just writing because I'm so campsick!" Ellie W. feels the same way, "I miss camp so much and I am already packing! If Krist is reading this - I miss you so much and can't wait to see you again! Choctaw Rules!" Finally, Lee B. has her own feelings about the tribes. "I keep smiling more and more every day camp comes a little closer. Every time I see the bright sun, or the bright blue sky, it reminds me of the Blue Ridge Mountains that have been in my dreams constantly. Like Kelly J. said, I have been dreaming about this summer for my entire life and I can't even begin to think about how amazing it will be. I hope you all know how much camp means to me, camp was and always will be a home for me. This haven isn't just a summer camp, it's a family and I know that no matter what happens in my life, camp will stay unchanged. Every June, I look forward to being able to wake up surrounded by the sisters that I love. I think about you all every single day and I know that this summer will be as fun as I have been dreaming it will be. I LOVE YOU ALL p.s., it's SEMINOLE DOMINATION TIME." I just have to add... it's also time for hot pants!

We've been a little behind posting these recently, but we'll be sure to get one next week so that we can post some of the other emails we've gotten.

I'll close with a poem sent to us by Grace Ryan. You're going to love it!

Merri-Mac, The best place to be! Where you can sit, And just be hap-py. If it is swimmin', jumin', outside and in, We just feel like we are all kin. Merri-Mac is the best place to be. First, Last, and Always, that's what we may say, No matter what it is, It's an awesome day. But when I leave, The sad part is, That if I go, There will be you that I miss.

From This Haven...

Ann