My Evening at Camp Cherokee

Posted byRebecca M. BlackwellPosted inUncategorized
 

The theme of the day was “hospitality” and you could see and feel it all around.  Kids helping each other out.  Staff encouraging and listening to the campers or sitting with those who needed to cry for a minute.   Even I, a newcomer on the scene, was received with great hospitality.

I arrived in the sweltering heat just in time for dinner and was welcomed by Margaret Nunez, the camp’s nurse,Kelly Howington (camp director) and a number of the campers.  We enjoyed a tasty meal of spaghetti, garlic cheese bread, spinich salad, and a fabulous desert that was created by one of the campers.  I don’t know how the food disappeared (but it did), because the kids were animated and the room rang out with the sound of their chatter and laughter.  

After the dinner, the campers ran off to prepare for the evening’s activity which was “The Olympics.”   Margaret loaded up with preprations for any and all medical needs:  icebags, extra water, prescribed medications for some of the campers, bandaids, and so on.  Since it was so hot, Margaret  even helped me “break into” the camp store so that I could have a water bottle and not get dehydrated (and yes… I paid for the bottle!).  We walked up to the field to await the beginning of the games. 
The athletes approach the field

There were three countries represented:  Narnia, Cross Country, and Green Eggs and Hamistan.   The competition was fierce,there werea great displays of comaraderie, daring feats of speed and strength,and lots of cheering.  (I must have been competing as well, because  I was really hot and very sweaty – nothing like a hot night in Georgia!)

The "country" of Green Eggs and Hamistan enters the arena Rounding the curve
Around the water cooler

Because of the heat, the counselors decided that chapel would be held at the pool and that everyone would have a chance to jump into the pool beforehand.  (alas…. I forgot my swimsuit, but it’s probably just as well… this body ain’t ready for prime time!)  As the fireflies were lighting up the night air, everyone headed to the pool, waited for the lifeguards to get in place and then… the dunking began.  It looked like the kids were very refreshed and relieved to have cooled off, and they then prepared for worship. 

We sat around the pool edge and worship began, led by one of the housegroups.  As we lifted our voices in song and prayer, a steamy full moon rose over the treetops. I left with my body limp, but my heart lifted.   Thanks be to God for our faithful camp staff and volunteers! 

[Did I mention that it was HOT?]

 

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