Camp Magic

There are moments at camp when you forget about the details and the logistics of the program you are running and get swept into the magic of what is going on around you. On Monday, we had an "opening Olympic ceremony" to kick off the week. Earlier in the day, the cabins came up with team names, cheers and painted flags.

M, M and I set up a fire using piles and piles of dry leaves covered in lighter fluid (not usually the way we start a fire) so that when could "light the Olympic flame". Property Manager T made us a torch (a back yard tiki torch spray painted gold). We downloaded the Olympic theme song and set up the big speakers on the field.

We had all of the cabins line up in a long line in the dining hall and I was in the lead with the torch. We marched down the hill, across the field, down the swim beach path and over to the fire circle. The campers carried their flags, cheering loudly the entire time. The music was blasting and every single person (camper and staff) was in the moment.

When we got to the fire circle, we circle around and all of the kids filled in. The music stopped and I gave a short speech about the Olympic games, good sportsmanship and then I yelled, "let the games begin" and used the torch to start the fire. The leaves caught fire quickly and everyone cheered.

Later, M and M commented that as the kids marched down the hill, they had tears in their eyes because it was such a powerful moment.