This year we were in a tent, the closest tent to the shore. At night, we fell asleep listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore, rolling the rocks over one another as the water slipped back out to sea. Several nights, we heard seals barking, and this year there were deer and bison in camp when things were quiet. We also saw a bald eagle, who seems to have taken up residence in a tall tree in the middle of the fairway.
It was quite a nice little home for the Bushnell girls for the 7 days and 6 nights of camp. Thanks to Carrie's ingenuity last year, we were prepared this summer with a string of solar-powered night lights. We barely used the lantern this year. While we weren't near the bathroom pavilion, there was an outhouse close enough to our tent for those middle-of-the-night trips. This year, there were blessedly few of those, as the girls wore themselves out during the day, and slept hard all night.
Frances took the swim test, as she does each year. This summer, she decided to use one of the camp's wetsuits in the chilly water. Doesn't she look gorgeous? I was so proud of my strong, healthy California surfer girl. She said that the water was warmer this year than last, and I think she was right.
On Wednesday, campers are given the option of spending part of the day in the tiny city of Avalon (one square mile, and the only city on the island). This year, Frances and I decided to do the hike. It leaves at 7 a.m., is 1.5 miles uphill and 4.5 miles downhill. Fran's friend James and his dad went on the hike as well, and his mom took Abigail and Emily (almost 6 years old) into Avalon on the boat at 9:30. The hike was far more difficult than I had thought it would be, and the combination of an out-of-shape, asthmatic mom who is recovering from whooping cough and is having hip pain was not a good thing! Frances and our friends were very encouraging, and once we reached the top, I was fine. Hiking downhill is much easier! We got to see some incredible views, and watched folks doing a zipline through the canyons. We reached Avalon about an hour after the folks who'd come by boat, and our feet were tired. Frances has said that there is no way she is hiking next year! But it's nice to have done it. We spent a relaxing couple of hours in Avalon, and the children all had ice cream before we caught the boat back to camp.
Although Abigail was taking a two- to three- hour nap each afternoon, we still found the time to play at the waterfront. Frances was on her own each afternoon, and went on hikes with friends and counselors while Abigail snoozed. One afternoon, I managed to get all three of the Bushnell girls into a kayak, and we went over to Little Gallagher's cove to float above the kelp forest. Abigail and I looked at the bright orange garibaldi fish, and Frances plucked sea snails off of the kelp leaves.
Abigail made herself at home quickly at camp, and loved (and bossed) her camp counselors. By the end of the week, the worship team had learned one of Abigail's favorite songs (she kept requesting "Jesus' Love is a Bubblin' Ovah") and she even got to sit and watch the power point computer during the slide show and singing!
Frances was so pleased to have one of the same camp counselors as last summer, Whitnee. I was pleased to have such amazing college kids working with my children. These camp counselors are unashamed of their faith, and my Frances learns so much about walking with God, just by watching Whitnee and the other counselors. Last summer, Frances did not want to do much singing, and certainly did not want to dance at the square dance. This year, I reminded her that she would have a great time at camp if she let herself enjoy it. And whether she took my advice, or whether it was from spending time with her counselor (who was a singer on the worship team and also demonstrated the dance steps), Frances spent the week singing. She even danced! She joined Abigail in the Chicken Dance and the Hokey Pokey, then consented to be my partner in the Virginia Reel and another dance in which you move to the next partner every 32 counts. I let her stay later for the swing dancing while I put Abigail to bed. That night, Frances crept into bed with me to tell me she had danced with some of the counselors, and to ask questions about why boys ask some girls to dance and not others. My little girl is growing up, and these times are so precious.
It was such a blessed week, as it always is. This is the one thing that we do every summer, without fail, because I believe that it is an investment in my children's future. The memories we make at camp, the things we learn, the friendships we develop, and the time spent as a family are things I wouldn't ever trade. Frances is beginning to talk about working at camp someday. I can't think of a more valuable way for her to spend 7 weeks once she is 18. Oh, and our verse this summer was John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
1 comment:
Oh how I would love to go to camp with you! It looks like so much fun and the thought of waves splashing on the rocks while going to sleep sounds wonderful...maybe one day:)
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