I wanted to reach out to you as a family with a child heading into 8th grade and therefore a potential Senior Hill camper for the 2019 summer! I speak from personal experience as Harrison is currently in 7th grade and I wonder where the years have gone!?!
Just like the transition from elementary school to middle school, the move to the Hill / Shire can cause some minor anxiety or concern. There is a new environment, new people, new schedule and many other factors that are part real and part imagined.
To remind you, the Shire is home to our boys entering 8th grade thru 11th grade. The Hill is home to the girls of the same age. This area of camp is still a very popular place to be with 150 campers typically present each session.
This area of camp falls under the watchful, caring eye and unique personality of Laura Hollister. As aptly illustrated in the picture above, Laura leads from the front with a true love and passion for all things camp-related. Laura has been with us for 15 summers now and truly grew up at camp. She now teaches in North Carolina and we are truly blessed and thankful to welcome her back to Camp this summer!
When campers move to the Hill and Shire we want them to know that while many things might change, many things stay the same!
The Same…
- Values regarding positive camper behaviors
- Fun approach to all activities and games
- Structure of daily activities
- Amazing cabin staff serving as role models
- Love of cheesy camp songs and traditions
The Change…
- More time to relax and socialize in the late afternoons and evenings
- Increased responsibility as older campers
- Late wakeup twice a week
- Senior Hunt!
- New trip to Fayetteville for ropes adventure!
- Preparation for CIT and JC experiences
- Greater exposure to international campers and friends from all over the world!
Ultimately, the growing importance of camp and the resulting escape from technology, social pressures, school stress and more become so important as each year passes.
The ability to simply be a child is reinforced and campers truly appreciate the opportunity to leave a lot of ‘stuff’ at home and embrace a return to camp. A return to Wacky Wednesday, Campfire songs, card games, counselor role models of the most amazing kind and much, much more.
As a parent, if you have questions or feel that your child might have some concerns relating to anything at all please do not hesitate to let me know. I truly believe that camp takes on a renewed importance as our children enter middle and high school and I hope that your child returns for the 2019 summer and beyond!
To secure your spot for the summer, register online here. Please remember that all deposits are fully refundable through April 15th and sessions can easily be switched if you need to make a change.
