away to camp...

On this gorgeous, hot day, we set off up north to deliver Brya and her friend to camp - the first time for both at a sleepaway camp.

Much excitement led up to this day and after a slow drive along surprisingly congested highways, we were delighted to be welcomed into the camp by a number of friendly, outgoing counsellors (I have never been so well directed into a facility in my whole life!).

The property looked beautiful, sign-in was orderly and went without a hitch. However, after one young and friendly staffer led us to the girls' cabin, reality set in quickly. The cabin was temporarily empty of campers, parents or counsellors - which we wish had not been the case - these two moms would have liked the reassurance of meeting the young people who would be caring for our girls. The cabin was the typical summer camp set up - plain wood, plain bunks, some dressers.  Everything was tidy and seemed clean, and my critical eye noticed new vinyl windows and apparently new mattresses. The girls hesitated as they looked around - which bunk?  Which would be the most homey, most comfortable, most reassuring? 

After a few minutes, bunks were chosen and beds made and we headed out to find the "tour guide" staffers we had been directed to.

After that I think we all started to feel a little better because - wow - this camp is packed full of amazing things to do and time and money had obviously been spent to make this a fun place to be! Canoe and Kayak areas, tidy sites for campfires and outdoor shows, an outdoor chapel, rock climbing walls, no less than THREE rope courses (my friend shuddered, I looked on with interest), an art cabin and tuck shop (all kids get to choose one item at the tuck shop every day!) swimming beach, basketball and tennis courts and a huge chess board and ping pong tables and on and on and on...(even the bathrooms were new and shiny - with sparkling showers - believe me, I checked.)

Towne Hall - the indoor rec centre

One of the campfire circles.

 

Cass at the rock wall.

The dining hall from the outside...

And the inside.



Looking up at one of the rope courses...

 

And another - can you see the rope bridge up high in the trees? Wow!

 

The swimming beach and docks - I want the job of sitting in the Muskoka chairs!



Checking out the chess board!

As the bell rang to call all the new campers together, many parents also trailed down to the gathering place to see our children meet their counsellors and bunkmates. A happy, silly camp song, a brief welcome from the camp director and then our children were sorted and led away to meet new friends. Bryanna looked back only once.

My friend and I were reluctant to go but we had given the girls hugs and reassurance and told them to have a great time. At that point they didn't need anything else from us and so we packed up their younger sisters and headed home.

I hope that Brya has an amazing time and comes home with so many hundreds of stories that they are spilling out of her. I hope she will feel more confident and strong and know that she was able to have this grand adventure without needing me there with her each and every moment. I hope she has FUN.

That's what I wish for her this week and for each new phase in her life - I think that's what we all hope for our children, isn't it?

But it is SO quiet in this house tonight.  :-)