Busy, Busy, Busy

What a weekend! This Saturday Camp Capers held the 65^th Anniversary reunion that hosted around 90 people from the ages of 85 years to 5 months The day started off with registration followed with some mingling and catching up. After everyone settled in, a group of musicians, one from just about every decade, played songs old and new in the activities building. After praising and worshipping the word of God, Bishop Lillibridge and Rob Watson came up to talk about the new remodeling plans that will take forth this upcoming year and that will be accomplished by next summer. Everyone seemed pretty excited about the new renovations, which include a new Steve’s Hall.  Many of the “Camp Capers Alumni” had yet to see the new ropes course that was put in this past summer; needless to say, there was a line as far as the eye could see waiting to take their turn on the ropes. It was as if everyone was back at camp again and age didn’t matter. We had a 75-year-old woman go on the Screamer! And she loved it! The most enlightening part of the day was being able to see all of these past campers and staff interact just as we do today. They have remained such close friends throughout the years, have had children, and now their children are friends. The process to me is amazing. I just hope that I remain as close to my camp friends as they have.

            There were many different people that came to the reunion on Saturday, especially a certain pair that really interested me. It was a Mother and Daughter. The mother had been coming since the 40’s and her daughter soon came in the 60’s. The daughter told me how she wanted to take a picture with the cross by the river with her mother because on her thirteenth birthday her mother had taken her to Capers to have a picnic. She told me how lovely it was to be back at camp, and as I helped her and her mother out of the golf cart she told me that I reminded of her of what the people at Camp Capers should be like; happy, energetic, and loving. Those were the kindest words I had heard all week.

             After the day came to an end, we had a bonfire and a camp dance that included tunes from the 40’s to today. It was so much fun! On Sunday morning we had a couple of folks spend the night. We all had breakfast together and had a chapel service before they were sent back on their own ways. We then started the beginning to our Staff training week. After countless meetings, we were all exhausted and just really wanted to go to bed. But, there was a surprise in store. We drove down to St. Helena’s and watched the Spurs begin to sweep the Thunder on a huge projector screen surrounded by comfy couches. The perfect way to end a day- Spurs, good friends, and a surprise visit to the fro-yo shop. Overall, the weekend was a successful one filled with love, laughs, and memories. Until next time!

    Love to all,

            Lena B. 

Staff Week

Today we begin the beginning of our staff training week. We are all super excited to get to know each other better and to became one big happy family. Here is a short sneak peek video of some of our staff talking about what they are excited about for this upcoming week and summer. Unfortunately, the video is too big of a file to fit onto the website. Therefore, we have created a YouTube account where you can view videos I post here on the blog as well as videos I will be posting at the end of every session that will contain videos from throughout the week. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6awp1uClKo&feature=youtu.be

Love to all,
    Lena B.

Ropes Course Training

Success. That was definitely the end product that came from our rigorous three day ropes course training. Most of us, never having been certified to operate a ropes course, became completely knowledgable on the in's and out's of surveying and operating the ropes courses at Camp Capers. It was definitely the hardest type of training I have ever been through. Being in the sun from 9 am to 5 pm every day is very exhausting. If you haven't ever done so, I wouldn't recommend it. But, with my wide brimmed hat in check, sunglasses on, and zinc oxide on my nose, I set out with ambition, anxiousness, and courage to face the challenges I had yet to face. In the end, I am proud to say that I am fully functional in operating the zip-line as well as being able to stay atop the crow's nest for more than just ten minutes before begging to come back down. I also went on the Screamer, and let me tell you, they call it the Screamer for a reason.
I learned a lot of things, as well as gained a lot of lessons. One lesson that I now keep very close to my heart is as much as the ropes courses is physically demanding, it is also very mentally and emotionally demanding as well. Having that right mind set is key, and no matter what you have to keep telling yourself that you can attain anything that is in your reach. In this case, it would be the rock above your left hand. I really got to see an example of this first hand through our music director named Danny. This boy is EXTREMELY scared of heights. We all did not think he would even attempt at anything, but he definitely exceeded our expectations. Not only did he climb the rock wall, but he went all the way up to the crows nest. When he reached the top, he hugged that pole with his dear life. We could all tell he was still a little nervous, but with support and encouragement he came back down, faster than all of us might I add. He followed through with his choices and succeeded far beyond his goals.
Tomorrow begins a new training; with all of program staff present we will begin to ease into summer mode and complete some last minute tasks. Every day that comes, I just get more and more excited for campers to finally get here. I can't wait!
Love to all
    - Lena B.

Welcome!

Hello friends, Camp Capers families and everyone who feels the burning desire to read my charismatic and witty blog, welcome to THE GREATEST BLOG ON EARTH! Do you know why this is the greatest? Because it focuses on the growth, memories and all of the fun we will be experiencing this summer. Staff was quickly put to work after their school years had ended by going to lifeguard training. The certification took three long, strenuous days of heat exposure, swimming, and giving CPR to dummies. Let's just say we definitely saved all of those dummies lives. Our teacher definitely did not know what he was getting himself into when he signed up a group of college kids who treat each other like a family; by family, that means the whole package was included, bickering, laughing, teasing and all. In the end, we all bonded and transitioned back into our Camp lives through the atmosphere of loving and kind personalities as well as feeling that sense of comfort we had missed all school year.
We have now moved from lifeguard certification to ropes course training and certification. Once again, this long three day training will consist of sunlight, laughs, and I am sure some whining will be involved as well. Overall, we will come out strong, confident, and ropes course certified! I will be back soon to report about how our ropes course training went. As our beloved work crew coordinator, Sandra Tschirhart, would say, with loving arms wide open, spirit fingers soon to follow,
                      "Love to all!"- Lena B.