Good evening, blog readers! The current time is 11:41 p.m. and Camp Cody is quiet! Today’s programs and activities had our campers and staff running all over the place. But more on that later…
Breakfast consisted of pancakes, sausage links, coffee cake, and fruit. A fun fact is that Camp Cody has added cold brew coffee to their menu, and our staff and many of our campers are very excited about this addition! A peaceful Morning Watch was followed by Morning Group.
The theme for today was romantic comedies and groups discussed relationships, how we build trust, figuring out who you feel comfortable with, and exploring who you are in relationships. Groups also wrote a letter to themselves, which our staff will mail to them later on in the year. We’ve only had three days of Morning Group, but the hard work that the Morning Group team put into compiling this year’s program is evident. Campers and staff alike have been raving about the program, especially the more creative activities.
Lunch included Italian subs, chicken pesto paninis, and BBQ Lays chips. Many folks have also been taking advantage of the extensive salad bar. After the lunch tables were cleared and the benches were put onto the tables, Spree Time began. Each day of Spree Time includes a special activity, and today was slip and slide kickball. Our ninth grade campers were especially excited about this new game!
The afternoon program was a smash! The 2023 Great Camp Relay built off of the success of last year’s event, adding new events and getting more campers involved. Different legs of the relay included dizzy bat, a kayak race, potato sack race, human ring toss, and more. After three runs, Forest Green and Rust were tied for first place, forcing a last minute (and unexpected) tie breaking game of Shipwreck. It was a competition for the record books, akin to the New England Patriots infamous comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. As the game drew to an end, Rust has one player left and Forest Green had five. As the pressure mounted, senior Amelia Carey stepped up to the challenge and defeated each of Forest Green’s remaining players, securing the victory for Team Rust. It was truly spectacular!
Sweaty, tired, and maybe a little sunburnt, everyone made their way to the dining tent for a dinner of barbecue chicken, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, and an INCREDIBLE brownie. Chapel was led by our Junior class and included their favorite song, “Kumbaya.” Rev. Brian Craig gave the message, reminding our campers that Camp and youth group are both places that they will always find love and support. Chapel ended with an electric performance of “Pharaoh, Pharaoh.”
Tonight’s evening program was Cody’s Greatest Game Show, hosted by our CIT’s (all dressed as Steve Harvey, of course). Campers competed against one another in Family Feud, as well as Minute-to-Win-it games. The program featured commercial breaks with high quality commercials produced by our staff. If anyone from the beverage company Propel reads this, we’d love a sponsorship.
The evening ended with a beautiful Vespers message from Samantha Brow, followed by s’mores and time by the fire our Senior High campers. If you saw this blog author purchasing s’mores supplies for 100 last week at Market Basket, now you know why.
As I write this, our dedicated staff is working hard preparing for tomorrow’s day. I’d like to take a moment to recognize all the planning that goes into preparing for the week and the hard work that goes into making it all come to life. Our campers are in the best hands because we have the best staff.
We’re excited for what tomorrow will bring, but first… rest.