Just like the night before Thanksgiving we are crazy busy and excited getting camp ready to host you tomorrow. The campers are cleaning up the bunks and my maintenance team has been painting every piece of wood in camp. We have planned everything out but can only pray as usual for sunny skies.
I hope you really enjoy the day here tomorrow. I remember my visiting days here with my sons being some of my best memories at the Realm. Be ready for all the emotions….
Woody
I cannot believe we have been here for four weeks. It seems like the summer started yesterday. The Realm now feels like home to everyone.
The best part of my job is watching everything come together. We plan for ten months and try as hard as we can to account for every situation. The truth is some of the best parts of the summer happen naturally, as most of you will see this weekend for yourself. Our secret sauce is my staff – from the 30 first year aides to Chuck Illig in his 58th summer. The shared love of CRH and all it stands for is the glue that keeps us together. People from all parts of the world come here and adapt to our lifestyle of happiness and respect for one another. The culture of kindness is our guiding light.
Please take the time this Saturday to meet all of your kid’s counselors. You will feel their connection to the Realm and your kids. They have watched over them while celebrating victories and learning to accept defeat.
I hope that when you leave here Saturday afternoon you too will “get it” in every way. For those of you who are taking your kids home on Sunday – please be patient as your kids will probably suffer from camp sickness. Listen to the stories and allow them to sleep…..
For those of you who will be saying goodbye to your kids till the end of the season, I promise you that the best is yet to come …….. our summer explodes after visiting day in every way. It will go by in a second !!!!!
Looking forward to welcoming our parents and families back to the Realm Saturday morning.
Woody
I feel like your kids at this point. I have been having so much fun up here – it’s been a long time since I wrote to you guys. I can report only good things as we get ready to welcome you to our summer home this Saturday. Watching the groups become full fledged families is one of my favorite parts of each summer. We now have 18 different families running around calling the Realm home. As true sisters and brothers, we sometimes disagree but always make up and continue our days. Like true brothers and sisters we protect and back each other up at all costs.
At last night’s close to two hour dance show, you could feel the energy. My favorite part was watching each group’s staff members sitting at the edge of their seats like only parents do. Living proudly through their kids’ successes and efforts. After just three weeks they love them and are proud as only parents can be.
We have accomplished so much in the last three weeks. But to me the relationships forged in this short time will live on forever. As Chuck reminds us all the time, “Camp friendships are different”. I can attest that they last a lifetime. My lifelong friend and I own this camp together. Chuck, Michelle, Wendy, Peter, Rick, Scott, Jonas, Diane, Kat, Ty, Julie and Herma who help me run the Realm on a daily basis are some of my oldest and best friends in the world. Together we have over 270 of CRH summers together in our unique ways. We all bring a different view but share the same love for all things CRH….
Thanks so much for sharing your kids with us. Cannot wait to welcome old friends and greet new ones this Saturday at parents’ visiting day.
Woody
Today was another busy day at the Realm! We began the day by hosting a Rookie Day, where families were invited to tour Robin Hood, and they were even able to jump into some activities and join in on the fun! The activities consisted of cookie decorating, indoor soccer, and many more. Rain, even when the Quad looks more like a pond, can never stop Robin Hood.
Camp was filled with dance practice all day in preparation for So You Think You Can Dance after dinner tonight. Every group was practicing tirelessly for their big moment. The barn, the lodge, and the dining hall were split up among the groups to serve as a practice area for the show. During this event, each group choreographs their own dance, chooses their own songs, and performs on stage in front of the rest of camp. A huge shoutout to the Scouts for their creative costumes!
Tomorrow, as we excitedly anticipate over 80 degrees and sun in the forecast, we are preparing to send a few groups to the beach and even a big surprise event for the Saxons. More to come on those soon!
Goodnight from CRH!
