The Camp has Begun!

Well, we made it from Roseburg to Camp Wa-Ri-Ki and have finished with the staff meetings and the camp orientation.  We have finished up a "get acquainted" activity and the camp seems to be off to a good start.  The campers and staff are full of energy and are eager to get to know each other and move on to the activities and sessions.

We have campers from many parts of the world - Australia, the UK, and many areas of the United States.  It's wonderful seeing them mix and eagerly work together for the good of the entire group.

We start the activities in earnest on Sunday and will finish up on Friday, July 16th.  In between we will practice soccer, geo-caching, ultimate frisbee, archery, theater, initiatives and a class on manners.  We will also have electives such as a dance class, horseshoes and basketball.  So as you can see we have very well rounded schedule for everyone.

The weather up here has been extremely warm.  It's been in the low 90's Fahrenheit.  We are going to take it easy for a day or two until the heat wave passes and we have more normal temperatures in the 70's.

I addressed the campers and staff tonight and talked about the importance of kindness and how kindness perpetuates itself. Conversely, when we are negative that can perpetuate itself as well.  I think it set a good foundation for the camp.

It is a good lesson for me to see the campers set aside potential road blocks and really come together and learn.  Even when there is a distraction, the campers react in a way that keeps peace and benefits the group.  I think that the adults can learn a lesson in that way.

I am sitting out on the porch of the mess hall and I can hear the wonderful laughter.  This week will go very fast -- I can tell already!

I am going to upload some pictures later on so you can see some of the action.  I think that you will enjoy seeing a peek of what we at camp see close up.

Until next time,

Jerry de Gier