The Camp Elf

Camp has an elf. He is a nice elf who lives at camp and sprinkles happiness dust and rays of sunshine-fun all over. He is responsible for making camp a happy, magical place.

The camp elf has been at camp for hundreds of years but for many years, the staff kept the elf a secret from the kids because they didn't want to share the magic. So some of the longtime campers have never heard of the elf.

But this year, we have the nicest staff in all the land, and so they have shared the secret and, AMAZING, someone discovered the door to the elf's house.

Rumor has it if you write the elf a letter, he will write you a letter back. And so for the past few days, kids have been visiting the elf door and sticking letters into the hole and counselors have been catching my eye throughout the day to mouth "elf" and I have been sneaking off to retrieve and respond to the letters.

Before coming to camp, I bought a special paper punch that cuts out tiny envelopes (less than an inch once they have been folded). My best friend X is here this week to follow me around and help me with little projects, and so last night, she punched and glued several dozen mini envelopes out of fancy paper. I created a tiny mailbox that is inside the elf door so that kids can find their letters. And I have been responding to their questions about elf families, elf jobs and encouraging them to have fun at camp.

One very smart 9 year old pointed out that it was probably me and when I denied it, telling her I was much too busy to spend my time doing such things, she asked me to prove it by giving her a handwriting sample. Smarter than a 9 year old, I'd already thought of that and have been writing the letters to look different than my everyday writing.

I am concerned that by the end of the week, I'm going to have to write 50 mini letters, but so far, it's a very fun, very cute addition to camp.