When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

I can't pretend it wasn't a disappointing start to the day. It was grey and dreary outside with the threat of rain. To add to that, Groups 2 and 3 were not able to go to the State House today like they had planned due to a scheduling mix up. Even on the disciplinary side of the day it was a tough start. By ten o'clock two of my seven campers were in time-out for disrespecting their fellow campers. It seemed like it was going to be one of those long, drawn out days where everyone ends up on the wall at least once and we are more than happy to leave once three o'clock rolls around. But it was not one of those days.

For Group 1 the turn around in the day came when we finished rehearsing our play (there's a talent show coming up on the last day of camp, August 3) and went into the hall. There we found some card games that Lloyd thoughtfully left out for our use. We had indoor free time, with some campers coloring, some learning to play Go Fish, and others playing a somewhat rowdy game of Wonderball.

After lunch time, the day had really morphed into a fun day. We brought all the campers outside to play Musical Chairs using an old radio. The game was fun, and the kids also knew all the songs so they sang and danced. As they marched around an ever decreasing number of chairs, you could feel the charged atmosphere of the whole camp. Campers were rooting for members of their group and were quick to congratulate their winner, or offer their condolences if their group member lost a game. It's the strong connection between campers that isn't really finalized until Week 4, and it's a great thing.

There was a great deal of picture and video taking (go to srmaryschildren.tumblr.com to see more photos/video) in anticipation of an end of camp montage that the counselors plan to create. Hopefully we will be able to get it online within a week after the end of Summer Camp.

 There was one very special moment for the camper below today. All afternoon she was wiggling her tooth. Finally, at about 2:30, it fell out! You can just see the gap to the right of her top front teeth. We hope the Tooth Fairy works Friday nights!

-Benjamin