First Morning (picking teams & signing up for classes)

I think in one of my last posts, I talked about how great it was arriving in precamp because it meant setting up the cabin how you wanted it and getting the best mattress and bed location. And the last arrivals always got the leftovers. Well, this was my first time arriving at camp AFTER everyone. But I soon realized that all spots were good in a cabin when you've got your childhood friends (from the last 30 years) rooming with you!

I'm so grateful and honored to be in a cabin with three dear friends, moms and little Lucy. She's loved this entire adventure and EVERYONE has been so nice and friendly toward her. Today I'm including a picture of Lucy after her bed in Dogwood was set up. She was so proud!

If you walked into cabin Dogwood, it would look like the counselor's porch times two. Yes, we all had bunks that were broken down, a plywood board to support our older backs and some sort of extra cushion to help our bodies rest in peace! But everything else was the same (trunks, lights, fans, extension cords, flashlights, bug spray, books, and odds and ends). Not much has changed in the way of packing for camp unless you want a more comfy bedding. Life is good in Monterey.

Because Camp is broken up into 4 two week sessions, the scheduling is the same except for certain times. For instance, the first full day of camp after breakfast, campers had to qualify in riding and swimming. Teams were chosen in craft park after rest hour, and team meetings followed. Now teams were chosen after breakfast in the dining hall. A joint meeting was held afterwards. Then the campers signed up for classes before lunch. With the extra bit of time before lunch, everyone rotated to their classes so that they could meet the instructors and find the location. Great idea! Even if you'd not been at camp in more than a decade, your conditioning to the bell schedule and days activities would not leave you lost. Even the departments are in the same place (except crafts is in the cabin between Huckleberry and the senior wash house).