It was a beautiful morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains as the bugle rang at 7am to awaken the campers of Merri-Mac. After cleaning their cabins with intentional care – in hopes of winning the coveted “Cabin Cake” for the cleanest cabin – girls ran down to eat breakfast! This morning’s meal consisted of delicious egg biscuits along with waffles and the yogurt bar. Sunnyside campers declared that today was Luau Day! They each dressed in Hawaiian flair, complete with leis, hula skirts, and Hawaiian shirts. 

 

After breakfast, campers headed down to Chapel. We sang camp favorite songs including “All in All,” “Every Move I Make,” and “Father, I Adore You.” Elizabeth Olvey gave a wonderful message about how even when we make mistakes, we are never banished from the kingdom of God, but always welcomed back in. 

 

Kayaking and climbing trips went out today! Participating in trips were: Grace F., Olivia B., Jana Lane W., Louise D.B., Campbell E., Caroline B., Erin R., Claire F., Julia D., Stella J., Trista R., Caroline M., Addison P., Julia D., Lucia S., Ellie D., Sydney H., Josie W., Kathryn Clair K. 

 

Campers were excited to start their first classes on the Tuesday schedule! DIY crafts began work on art notebooks, as girls personalized their journals with collages of fabric, colored paper, and drawings. Cooking class continued their delicious lesson on baking mini donuts! Drama dressed up in fun, silly props and played improvisation games, while soccer hit the ground running with games and drills. 

 

Today’s lunch was a camp favorite: mini corn dogs and mac and cheese! After singing their tribe songs loud and proud, campers waited eagerly to hear the winner of last night’s Color Wars. The winning team was…the BLUE TEAM! Girls sang along with blue team pride and then waited to hear tonight’s evening activity…COUNSELOR HUNT! The dining hall erupted in shrieks, songs, and laughter, as girls prepared to hunt for their counselors in a massive game of hide and seek around camp. The best news for the campers: if they find a counselor, they get to push them in the lake!

Rest time was a well-deserved break for the campers and staff from all the excitement of the day. Though for some campers, it was just a time of anticipation for their favorite part of the day: Trading Post! Girls lined up anxiously awaiting the delivery of their snacks from our Counselors in Training. (Shout out to our awesome Counselors in Training, who just completed their staff training by conquering a week-long trek through the Appalachian Trail!). After eating their snacks, Tweedle Dee girls played in the creek together, while other campers played Gaga ball, tetherball, and spent time with their friends. Tonight’s dinner was a delicious meal including grilled chicken, corn, potatoes, and chocolate cake for dessert! 

 

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful girls with us this summer! Their joy, light, and care for one another is the reason this place is so special to so many. The future of Merri-Mac is incredibly bright because of each of them! 

 

From this Haven, 

 

Anne Dillon Loflin 

Tweedle Dee Counselor 

13th Summer at Merri-Mac 

Proud Red Wolf!