Parent of a Leelanau camper

This year, both of our kids talked a lot about the intangibles on the way home.  Yes, they loved learning water skiing, soccer, silversmithing and the speed and agility training.  But even when our son talked about speed and agility, he would relate it to life lessons.  He learned about and explored the idea of leadership a lot more this year. He also overcame a fear of heights. For us, it all comes down to excellence.  Everything done at camp is done with excellence.  From the counselors to the activities to the schedule/structure, excellence is built into every day with the foundation of “high ideals” and “fire burning brightly”.

Parent of a Kohahna and Leelanau camper

I had a summer full of growth, connection and meaning; one that I will never forget!..I was able to listen and learn from younger campers, fellow CTs, as well as older counselors.  By helping a younger camper with a situation, I was able to have the inspiration I needed for a personal healing…This summer holds memories, growth and friendships that I will never forget, and will always hold dear!

Kohahna camper

My favorite activities were climbing and waterskiing.  I got to go on the porcupine Mountain trip…I loved it and really appreciated the chance to be outdoors and in such a beautiful spot…I enjoyed the counselors and thought they were great role models.  All of them work very hard at being a good Christian Scientist and have had many cool demonstrations. They were always very positive and supportive.

Leelanau camper

Earlier this year, our family had a conversation about role models … Well, all of a sudden out of the blue yesterday my daughter says, “You know how I said I wasn’t sure who my role model would be? I think my counselor is a great role model; I mean she expresses ALL the K qualities, ALL the time.  She is totally into Christian Science, she is ALWAYS joyful (even when we were being difficult in the cabin), she is ALWAYS a Kohahna woman.”  Well, if being a Kohahna woman is my daughter’s ideal for a role model, then I think camp is doing everything it should be doing.

Kohahna parent

Camp is such a special opportunity…I firmly believe that there is no better way for a child to grow in their love and understanding of Christian Science than to live it at camp. The staff do a phenomenal job of modeling Christian character for the children…I do not doubt that the example that is set at camp will stick with our kids long after the summer ends.

Parent of a Leelanau and a Kohahna camper

I had so much fun at camp. I met so many great people. I learned a lot of new things, like how to make a fire, how to sail, and even how to do the butterfly.  The food was great.  One time at lunch we wrote notes on napkins to Kohahna and at dinner we got notes back! I seemed like every time I was around my new friend, I just couldn’t stop laughing!

Leelanau camper

This year I took ceramics, camp crafts, swimming and horseback riding.  I actually had a healing in horseback riding.  I was just learning the posting trot. I found that when I tried to post, I would almost fall off.  It was really scary.  In quiet time the following day we read “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” (I John 4:18) I thought, “Well, there’s no fear in love, and I love horseback riding!” That day, when I tried posting again, I was able to do it.  The things I love about camp are endless, but a few of them are the sisterhood, the atmosphere and the fun.

Kohahna camper

We wanted to express our gratitude to everyone at camp for making our children’s experience there such an enjoyable one.  They each had a wonderful time and we are sure it is something they will always remember.  The stories they have recounted to us since they returned, as well as the testimonies they have given in church, have shown us that they not only had a fun time, but also they grew a great deal spiritually.

Parent of a Leelanau and a Kohahna camper

I liked making good friends with other campers…I got to do archery, sailing, horseback riding, border camp and kayaking.  My favorite was border camp.  I learned how to make a fire and different knots.  It was really cool!

Leelanau camper

My daughter loves the sisterhood and the traditions.  She talked about the atmosphere of camp with such fondness as she loved being among Christian Science thinkers. She told me about spiritual insights that will stick with her forever!  I know she appreciates the independence and leadership training that camp offers. She also loves the location of camp, the food, and the variety of activities offered.

Kohahna parent

I loved camp this year because I tried some new activities.  This year I did waterskiing, silversmithing and I went on a trip. I’ve never done any of those before so it was a good experience.  I loved waterskiing!  It was new but exciting. Silversmithing was fun and I made some cool jewelry.  Going on the Grand Island trip was fantastic!  The views were amazing!  This year I also made a lot of new friends.  At the beginning of the summer they were “acquaintances”; now they’re sisters for life!

Kohahna camper

At camp, my son is surrounded by wonderful young men and women, who love unconditionally, who are examples that I want him to aspire to.  They are cool, fun, vibrant and live CS! To be surrounded by such wonderful people in such a beautiful place is what I value most.

Leelanau Parent

Living out in the woods for four days isn’t an easy task, but when you have others around you that no matter what the circumstances, keep pushing you to do your best and surround with love, it really makes you enjoy every moment…I knew God was with us and would always be with us, guiding us on our journey, whether it be on the challenge in the woods, at school, or in a sport; God will always surround us with His love.

Kohahna camper

…Being at camp, seeing such great examples from the counselors on staff, and spending time in activities and in the cabin with other Christian Science youth has given her a sense of how to express joy and happiness more freely.  What a great thing it was to listen to her carrying on about an activity, a friend she made, or a fund time she had with a huge smile on her face.  It seems like every day there are more stories to tell.

Kohahna parent

His face lights up each time he thinks of one of his camp friends or tells us about one of his adventures or favorite experiences.  We appreciate the supportive counselors…The Christian Science atmosphere is unparalleled and strengthens this important aspect in his life that he can use when he returns home.

Parent of a Leelanau camper

My favorite time of Sunday was council fire. I also liked cookouts! It was just so fun, especially when we all played elbow tag. It was fun to make new friends…My favorite thing about camp though was beach period.  I LOVE SWIMMING! I also liked dipping too.

Kohahna camper

I like silversmithing because it is a really cool way to be creative.  It’s not everywhere that I can work with metals and make them into an entirely personal creation that reflects me. I like archery a lot also, because first of all, I’m good at it and second, it’s just plain fun…

Leelanau camper

I do enjoy everything that goes on at camp…I love being able to express myself and qualities that other people appreciate…It shows me a new look on the world, without forcing me to look at it negatively.  I truly have been healed by camp.

Kohahna camper

I had a great time at camp.  My favorite activity was waterskiing/knee boarding.  I loved Sunday School.  I healed a bump on my foot.  I want to go to camp next year.

Leelanau camper

Camp is awesome because I love seeing old friends and making new friends and because I love the really great activities I get to do.  I also love Wednesday night church and hearing the testimonies; they inspire me so much.  And, as always, the food was magnificent!

Kohahna camper

What is it like in our home now that our son is home from Camp Leelanau? It’s filled with the sound of camp songs and stories.  What does our son look like after camp? He looks joyful, more mature, taller, tanner, happy and content.  What have our daily routines been like after camp? More orderly, the chores are effortless.  When I ask my son to make his bed he doesn’t need my help and I only ask once. How about the morning Bible lesson?  Now he has lots of memories of reading the Lesson with his brothers from camp.  What a peaceful, happy feeling I have about the wonderful experience my son had at camp.

Parent of a Leelanau camper

She had a terrific time. Made a lot of friends. Grew up a lot in so many ways – confidence, independence, working with others and a better understanding of, and dedication to Christian Science.  Her spiritual growth was not so much knowledge, but what she felt in her heart….The morning dips, the comradeship, the food, the crab soccer, horseback riding (a dream and first time for her), nature studies (she doesn’t fear bugs as much as before), archery and the fun times – she will never forget.

Kohahna parent

I did a lot of fun things while at camp.  Some of my favorite activities were silversmithing, riflery and horseback riding.  But the thing I liked most was the feeling of love that surrounded me and that I could be a part of that love…I also enjoyed the good food, especially the pizza and milkshakes!

Leelanau camper

Cabin: Evergreen

“Love thine enemy as thyself.”  I think this quote perfectly describes forgiveness.  You should love your enemy like yourself because they are a perfect reflection of God, like you.  You should forgive them for any wrong they have done, like you should forgive yourself.  Well, before I get into self-forgiveness, let me explain about forgiveness first.  A definition of forgiveness is, “clearing the record of those who have wronged you and not holding a grudge”.  So you shouldn’t hold a grudge against an enemy, or even a friend, if they did something bad to you.  You should see the true selfhood of that person and their perfect reflection of God.   I know a question you may have by listening to this is “why should I forgive someone if they did something bad?”  And this is a good question.  I know it can be very hard to forgive, but it is definitely worth doing it, whether it is a good friend, family member, or enemy.  You wouldn’t want to lose a close friend or miss an opportunity to make a new one by not forgiving someone.  At home, my brother and I fight a lot.  It’s not fun for either of us because we end up getting mad at each other and getting in trouble.  My grandma told me that I should try to get along with my brother because he will be my best friend in life, and he is my family.  After thinking about this, I want to get along better with him when I get home.

Forgiveness does not just apply to family, friends and enemies.  It also can apply to yourself.  Let’s say you mess up on a test and get a bad grade.  Are you going to hate yourself, give up on tests and school, and be miserable?  Or are you going to say, “It’s alright, it’s just one test, so maybe I need to study harder for the next one. God gives me all the knowledge I need to take tests.”  That’s just one example of self-forgiveness.  I believe you should always forgive yourself if you mess up because…well, what are you going to do if you don’t?  And we are all perfect children of God, right?  God expresses forgiveness and that means we can too. One person I think of is Jesus.  He healed everyone, forgave people for their sins, and never stopped spreading the word of God. He said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;…so persecuted they the prophets before you.”  What I think Jesus meant by this was when you are doing good, and people try to stop you, don’t let them.  If they tease you, don’t let that stop you.  If they try to make you do the wrong thing, don’t let them.  Jesus forgave the Pharisees every time they tried to stop him from spreading the word of God.  They said he was breaking the laws, and other excuses.  They made him go on the cross.  But he always forgave them for whatever they did.  We can follow his example today by forgiving others, and even ourselves.

I think forgiveness is a great quality to have, and to improve on.  Think about all the little ways we express forgiveness at camp.  Maybe your cabin-mate is a little grumpy in the morning.  Or maybe someone hits you with a ball in bombardment.  I would forgive them instantly and I know others would too.  I talked to a girl about the Challenge, and she said they forgive each other all the time.  And that’s the thing that is so great about camp.  We see forgiveness expressed in so may little and big ways that makes it great as a whole.  I want to tell you the definition of forgiveness one more time. Forgiveness is clearing the record of those who have wronged you and not holding a grudge.

Cabin:  Evergreen

This is my first year at Camp Kohahna. I really enjoy the delicious feed and the fun activities! This week I was in swimming and kayaking. I really like all of the things that we do in swimming. This week we worked on passing levels and having fun! We got to go to the clay pits and play in the soft and mushy clay. Also we went to Pyramid Point and on the way we looked for Petoskey stones.  In kayaking we got to pass levels.  I passed beginner.  Then we got to have fun!  We got to stand up in our kayaks and goof around.  Both of the counselors/teachers that showed me how to do these things were fun and very nice.  They made my week so much fun!  The food here at camp is amazing.  The people here always make sure that you get enough to eat.  My favorite thing for breakfast is bacon.  Then my favorite meal for lunch is a turkey with cheese sandwich.  Bur for dinner I don’t have a favorite dish.  At camp you have to learn to have very good manners, no elbows on the table and napkins in your lap.  I ♥ Camp Kohahna!

Julia S., age 7

Cabin: Little Dipper

I’m from Florida and I like sports and at camp I have a lot of fun. I like going to the clay pits. My cabin mates are Sidney, Peyton, Aina and Gloria. My counselors are Jewelle and Lindsay. I’m going to be having a new cabin mate and I’m working on orderliness.

Peyton H., age 6

Cabin: Little Dipper

The horses are fun to ride and to play with. I like to give them a bath. Horseback riding is my favorite activity because I get to be outside with the horses.  For my beginner level, I learned the body parts of the horse.  I also went on a trail ride and my horse, Tommy, trotted a little bit!  He is a fun horse.  The horseback riding counselors teach you a lot and are very nice.  They help me learn how to tighten my rein, how to keep the horse going and how to go in circles.  Horseback riding is the best activity ever!

Ella C., age 9

Cabin: Stardust

I love camp.  This is my second year.  Last year, my first year, my dad signed me up for horseback riding but noted that I had a fear of horses. So the first day of horseback riding I did not get on the horse.  The second day I finally got on but didn’t ride. For the rest of the week I did not ride.  When I got home I told my dad and he told me that error is just trying to stop me from having fun.  I thought about that for the rest of the year and it helped me in a lot of things this year. When I came back, the first day of horseback riding I groomed and tacked Mamaspatch (one of my favorite horses).  When we were in the ring, on my first try I got on and started to ride.  It felt so great, so thank you dad for that thought! J

Wells D., age 11

Cabin:  Barabados

The Flag Trip

The most fun thing I have done this camp session was the backwoodsman flag trip.  The backwoodsman flag trip is an overnight in the woods where all day you play tackle capture the flag.  It is North vs. South, and you must cook your own food and set up your camp, including lashing together a wooden jail, tying your flag in the trees, and setting up your tents.  It is a great experience because you get to be in the forest and camp out for two days.  I got the first flag for the South team, which felt really good!  The North team won, but that’s OK.  Even though we lost by 20 points it was still the most fun thing that I have ever done.  And I can’t wait till next year!

Tommy D., age 10

Cabin: Tortuga

The Backwoodsman Flag Trip

The backwoodsman flag trip was really fun because I got make dinner.  I made mac and cheese for dinner.  Then I went on a raid and I got a flag.  Then we had s’mores.

Reed T., age 13

Cabin: Shoshonis

I am going into 8^th grade and am in the cabin of Shoshonis.  I love trips and am going for my Advanced Outdoorsman.  One thing you have to do is a Logisist Course.  This is where you plan the whole trip but don’t lead it. It is practice fro actually instructing a trip.  I did this course on the Boardman River overnight.  It was pretty fun and good canoeing and the river was moving pretty fast.  It was also pouring down rain. This is where Christian Science at camp is so helpful.  I kept the thought of “Today is the day the Lord hath made” in my thought.  We got through the trip fine and had a great time.  That is why I love camp. The mixture of adventure and spirituality makes that great blend which makes this camp so unique.  That is why I love camp.

Brian M, age 12

Cabin: Sea Hornet

This week for cabin day, my cabin went to the beach.  It was fun.  We launched water balloons at each other while we were in the water area.  We did that for awhile, then when Tortuga was walking back from their cabin day we ambushed them and attacked them with water balloons.  That was my favorite cabin day.

Cabin: Gulls Nest

God Is Love

One day while my cabin was having cabin day we went out to the lake and we brought a windsurfing board.  I was happily swimming when I came up for air and banged my head on the windsurfing board.  My first thought was “I am hurt” but then I remembered Christian Science.  I know that God is love and I could never be hurt.  My counselor and I were walking up to the beach talking about this and I realized that I was just being silly.  I stopped crying and two minutes later I was back in the water having a wonderful time.  I hope other kids will learn from my story that God is Love and you can never leave His care.

Sawyer B., age 11

Cabin:  Barbados

The flag trip is one of the best camp experiences you can have.  When you get tackled, immediately they help you up.  Even if you don’t get a flag, you have fun trying.  I even had fun being tackled.  I can’t wait for it next summer.

Joey W., age 14

Cabin:  Shoshonis

This past week I was too old for the backwoodsman flag trip and there were no open spots on the flag trip, so I had to go on a climbing trip.  I was somewhat upset by this, but climbing is awesome so I didn’t complain.

After the car ride, singing all the way, we got to our destination of beautiful rock faces, and pure water dripping from caves in the side of the cliff walls.  It was an experience that would stay with me forever.  Trips ROCK!

Marshall M., age 11

Cabin:  Barbados

On Monday night we played a really fun game called Biscuit Mayhem.  It’s basically played like Capture the Flag.   I enjoyed this game because I could really just express myself and run around and have fun.  The rules are a little different from the original capture the flag game.  When I was coming to camp, I was a little nervous because it was my first year, but I knew that we would be playing a lot of fun games.  Biscuit Mayhem was one of them.  After playing that game, I just couldn’t wait to play it again.  I thought it was great exercise and great fun, the most fun game I’ve played at camp so far.

Landon S., age 11

Cabin:  Tortuga

Fun!!

This week at camp I had lots of fun, but the most fun was the backwoodsman flag trip.  We were judged on everything, like meals and sportsmanship.  We were also judged on teamwork.  I got two flags.  I loved it.  It is something I am looking forward to next year.

Junior Camper, age 9

Cabin:  Black Swan

Friday is my favorite day of the week because that night we have pizza and milk shakes, and right after that we have soccer, my favorite sport.  We all try our best and have a great time.  We play with all of our might and when we fall down, we care, and help each other up.

Cabin:  Evergreen

This is my first year at Camp Kohahna. I really enjoy the delicious feed and the fun activities! This week I was in swimming and kayaking. I really like all of the things that we do in swimming. This week we worked on passing levels and having fun! We got to go to the clay pits and play in the soft and mushy clay. Also we went to Pyramid Point and on the way we looked for Petoskey stones.  In kayaking we got to pass levels.  I passed beginner.  Then we got to have fun!  We got to stand up in our kayaks and goof around.  Both of the counselors/teachers that showed me how to do these things were fun and very nice.  They made my week so much fun!  The food here at camp is amazing.  The people here always make sure that you get enough to eat.  My favorite thing for breakfast is bacon.  Then my favorite meal for lunch is a turkey with cheese sandwich.  Bur for dinner I don’t have a favorite dish.  At camp you have to learn to have very good manners, no elbows on the table and napkins in your lap.  I ♥ Camp Kohahna!

Julia S., age 7

Cabin: Little Dipper

I’m from Florida and I like sports and at camp I have a lot of fun. I like going to the clay pits. My cabin mates are Sidney, Peyton, Aina and Gloria. My counselors are Jewelle and Lindsay. I’m going to be having a new cabin mate and I’m working on orderliness.

Peyton H., age 6

Cabin: Little Dipper

The horses are fun to ride and to play with. I like to give them a bath. Horseback riding is my favorite activity because I get to be outside with the horses.  For my beginner level, I learned the body parts of the horse.  I also went on a trail ride and my horse, Tommy, trotted a little bit!  He is a fun horse.  The horseback riding counselors teach you a lot and are very nice.  They help me learn how to tighten my rein, how to keep the horse going and how to go in circles.  Horseback riding is the best activity ever!

Ella C., age 9

Cabin: Stardust

I love camp.  This is my second year.  Last year, my first year, my dad signed me up for horseback riding but noted that I had a fear of horses. So the first day of horseback riding I did not get on the horse.  The second day I finally got on but didn’t ride. For the rest of the week I did not ride.  When I got home I told my dad and he told me that error is just trying to stop me from having fun.  I thought about that for the rest of the year and it helped me in a lot of things this year. When I came back, the first day of horseback riding I groomed and tacked Mamaspatch (one of my favorite horses).  When we were in the ring I got on on my first try and started to ride.  It felt so great, so than you dad for that thought! J

The 2010 Camp Leelanau summer season was most successful and plans are already underway for 2011.  Thank you for your wonderful support of both Camps Leelanau and Kohahna. A statement from Weldon is included below.

Glenn C. Johnson
Camps Leelanau & Kohahna
Leelanau Outdoor Center
231 334 3808  office
603 770 2099  cell
www.leelanau-kohahna.org

________________________________________________________________________

Good Morning:

First, I am honored to be named the newest General Manager of the Crib Team.  As we all know there is no finer group of young men with which to be associated.

Second, let me put some questions or speculations to rest.  I know better than anybody that the terms “Weldon” and “Full Time Job” seem diametrically opposed.  Allow me to borrow from J.M. Barrie and state: “I am most certainly not leaving Neverland.  In fact, this appointment puts me directly in charge of The Lost Boys.”

Third, I bring three simple goals to this new assignment:

• to honor and promote Leelanau’s tradition of excellence, by providing continuity and leadership

• to educate young men on the meaning of genuine manhood through Christian Science demonstration

• to provide coaching and year round support to our summer counselors.

So…I am here (with a desk and a phone), installed in Leelanau County, making my permanent home at Pyramid Point and looking forward to serving Camp and the cause of Christian Science.

Weldon Rutledge
Director, Camp Leelanau
Weldon@leelanau-kohahna.org
231 334 3808 office

Tuesday began with two trips going out. A group of girls departed on a hiking trip to Grand Island, and another group spent the week on a climbing trip! Both were fruitful endeavors in camping skill, self-discovery, and pushing limits. We were happy when the girls returned at the end of the week with stories and ratings under their belts.

On camp, campers enjoyed usual weekly activities, and in the afternoon girls were all over camp–working out on the basketball courts, playing on the playground, doing the rock wall, learning photography skills, and in the barn with the horses. At night Pines and Sands came together to compete in Superlatives. Each team split up with a list of superlative categories and had to pick an older and younger girl to represent her team against two representatives from the opposing team. Categories included “longest hair”, “best accent”, “fastest in a sprint race”, “most freckles”, and some funny categories like “best joke” and “funniest face.” The night was full of laughter, and the result was an exact tie between teams!

Wednesday was another great Cabin Day! This week we were on camp for the fun. Many cabins made t-shirts and had cabin bonding time. Other cabins went down to the beach. Other notable Cabin Days were Stardust (who made cake for camp’s dessert after dinner) and Birchview (who went on a scavenger hunt that led to materials for cookie baking in Leelanau Lodge). Wednesday night was particularly peaceful. There was a light breeze all evening wafting into the Great Room as we had our church service and hymn sing. As Kohahna went to sleep, the waves crashing on the beach echoed up to cabins—a lullabye to end the calm night.

Thursday activities included canoeing, jogging, windsurfing, writing gratitude letters, and hiking to name a few. Thursday night a large group of Wildwoods took the unique opportunity to hop on Big Blue and see a Traverse City Beach Bums game! The rest of camp donned yellow and green and played soccer. Although girls were gone at the Beach bums game and others were missing from trips, each team played their best and had a great time working as small units! Our Sky Team even performed a half-time show!

Friday was a CT Appreciation Day! CTs helped plan afternoon activities including a swamp trekking trip and relaxing beach solo/reading time. At night all the CTs celebrated the Disney princesses and planned a whole evening of fun games and stations based on the different characters. Campers all dressed up and had a blast!

Saturday started out with rain, but by the end of Quiet Time it was barely drizzling so Clean-Up could continue without a hitch. The cabins were spotless, and every single one passed inspection! It was a competitive week in cabin clean-up, but Birchview kept it’s spot as Honor Cabin for the Wildwoods while Driftwood lost out to Falling Star for the first time this summer!

Saturday afternoon the Sands announced that the Sand Show would be that evening! So, after rest hour the Sands headed up to the Great House to rehearse for the final performance while the Pine all headed to Empire to visit the Dune Museum.

The show was excellent! The theme was Sand Bedtime Stories. Campers sat on mattresses instead of benches, ate popcorn, and heard from MCs dressed up as storytellers and the Sandman. After the senior kickline all camp had a dance party and enjoyed some yellow cake!

Sunday began with the last breakfast on North Star’s porch of the summer! The weeks have absolutely flown by! After church, bookmarking time, and lunch the girls found out that we would be having Salad Day in the afternoon! Salad Day meant splitting up the camp into small teams to travel around to various stations all across camp with salad dressing themes. There was a country dancing station for Ranch, a funny game about space travel for Russian, some frolicking for Poppyseed, etc. When teams did well, they were awarded with fake lettuce leaves, and the point was to have the most bountiful salad by dinner time! The campers loved it!

After Cook-Out we made our way up to Council Fire. We did the very spirited fire-burning challenge this week, sang songs, celebrated achievements, and awarded campers in their excellence. This week’s quality of The Real Me was boldness. Campers learned that boldness doesn’t necessarily mean being loud. It means having the confidence to stand up for what is right. We asked them to think about boldness in three steps. First, are they giving themselves enough time and support to think about right and wrong choices before they are presented with those choices? Second, are they able to stick to what they have decided when they do make a choice? Third, are they able to stand up for what is right even when no one else does? We asked the girls to consider how they could be bold in the upcoming week as we made our silent walk back to camp.Bugle

As if the Ole’ Ball Game wasn’t enough, the entire senior section had the opportunity to travel and watch our very own Traverse City Beach Bums hit some zingers and nab some runs at their stadium.

Week 6 also marked the start of the annual LIFE Tournament.  All teams played hard, but Green and White will be going head-to-head in the championship final at the end of 7^th week on Saturday.

The Camper vs. Counselor soccer game took place on our new field after spending the summer traveling over to Miles Kimmerly Park to allow our field time to grow.  Freddy “Calves” Morrison made a monster save to keep the counselors in the game and lead them to victory, as per usual.

The week was capped off by a common occurrence around these parts: an amazing council fire.  HQ’s message, inspired by the Biblical story of Nicodemus, was to go into 7^th week giving 110%, feeling fresh, and with guns-blazing!  Max “Pecs” Warner and Paul “Beard” Olsen may have put an end to the whole Sailing/Waterskiing debate with one of the funniest skits in recent times.  At the end of counsel fire, Dave “Boardman” Heckel and John “Texa$” Patzwald spoke to the guys about being a camp hero and staying connected with your brothers.

With one week to go, we are sure to keep the memorable moments flowing as the boys cap off an amazing summer. Another day in paradise…

Big Event of the past week – Beach Bums Game

Team games  - log sawing challenge during council fire-North won.

Highlight of the week – Camp Alum Rich Bachus teaching windsurfing

Best meal that week - Roast beef sandwiches with au jus.

Honor Cabins:
Early Bird – Black Swan

Backwoodsman – Tortuga

Pioneer – Shoshonis

Star Totals:  North =  Q      South =  Z

Crib Stars: Bill Gates’s total net-worth times the price of Apple stock= too many digits to write down.

Also on Tuesday, the Backwoodsman Flag Trip went out to our back property (aka “Canada”) for a shorter version of the flag trip. This game was also filled with lots of flags and structures. The remaining members of the senior section went down south to Grand Ledge for a climbing overnight. They saw, they climbed, they conquered. And not to be left out, the Early Bird cabins spent some exciting cabin bonding time together before sleeping over in the Leelanau Lodge and eating breakfast burritos in the morning.

The County Fair returned to Camps Leelanau & Kohahna for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Campers and counselors brought out their best country dress and enjoyed the different booths set up by the staff. Bull riding is a particular favorite. As always, there were lots of water balloons and the classic dunking station was fully utilized.

Sunday evening’s council fire brought lots of laughs as David “Jumbo Tron” Libbe continued his hilarity with his impersonation of C3PO. Kurt Zimmerle also brought a standing ovation as he cart wheeled over the fire. At the end of the evening, camp Alums Blair Anderson and Charlie Martin addressed the crowd sharing Flag Trip stories and reminding the group that it is the people around the fire that makes Camp Leelanau unique.

This is Leelanau!

On Monday night, before the trip left, Kohahna had a big luau on our beach. There were opportunities to take kayaks and windsurfing boards out, plenty of games, and a bonfire to get dry and have s’mores. We closed the evening by asking each camper what they were truly grateful for.

Tuesday afternoon girls participated in Jazzercise, went to the Culverts, hiked to Pyramid Point, or made friendship bracelets. Then, for Evening Activity camp did a bunch of Peter Pan games! There were songs, stories, and even costumes! It was so fun to see girls young and old dressed up as Wendy, Hook, and Peter.

Wednesday morning the Challenge girls departed camp until Saturday. The Challenge is a competitive camping trip in which twelve Wildwoods campers from each team travel to an off camp site and work to make structures, cook gourmet meals, and play Capture the Flag. True to its name, it is always challenging, but true to Kohahna, it is also an inspiring opportunity for growth in outdoor knowledge as well as character and spirituality.

The rest of camp enjoyed an off-camp Cabin Day Wednesday. It was a very sunny afternoon, so many cabins went to Glen Arbor to swim, do scavenger hunts, or visit the Glen Arbor Art Fair. Juniper took a trip into Leland to explore and play, and Breezeway got to go into Traverse City to go bowling! By Wednesday we had a lot of happy campers! In the evening we enjoyed our usual Wednesday Night Church service and co-ed hymn sing. The girls went to sleep quickly—tuckered out from a long day of fun.

Thursday we were hit with a little rain. It didn’t stop our morning activities, but in the afternoon we had to find ways to entertain ourselves indoors like piñata-making, braiding lessons, or rehearsal for the Talent Show! Thursday night we played a fun version of the Newlywed Game. Campers were quizzed about how well they knew their cabinmates. Then, as a special treat, everyone got root beer floats before bed!

Friday was an exceptional day at camp! On the water, on land, in the woods, and in the arts rooms, young ladies were fulfilling final requirements for the many level achievements this week bought! In the afternoon we had a spectacular and wavy day at the beach after an afternoon of activities like biking, etiquette classes, barn exploration, or even a trip to the Maritime Museum! Friday night younger campers got a chance to support their teams like their teammates on the Challenge with a camp game of Capture the Flag. It was a very active night that ended in some trunk cleaning to prepare for Saturday Clean-Up.

Clean-Up was great! It began to drizzle on Saturday, but the girls persisted in racing around and tidying. Finally, at lunch, camp cheered because the 24 Challenge participants returned! It was a moment of true Kohahna sisterhood as the little ones ran to greet their older friends as they walked up the hill to the Great House. In the afternoon, girls who went on the trip got an extended Rest Hour and the rest of camp snuggled up for a rainy day movie. Then, all cabins rejoined to rehearse for Brown Bag Skits!

The skits were performed after dinner, and they were hilarious. It’s so fun to see cabins getting together and showing their creative sides! After the skits, the Skys surprised the campers with the Sky Show! Counselors all performed skits, lip syncs, and a finale kickline for all of camp. We had a quick dance party before getting everyone ready for an early bedtime.

After our usual Sunday morning routines, all camp (Kohahna and Leelanau) had a Yeehaw time at our mock County Fair! There was apple bobbing, square dancing, pony rides, pigtails, and lots of flannel! After the festivities ended, both camps enjoyed Cook-Out and headed up to Council Fire.

As usual at Council Fire we played a team challenge (Swords), sang songs, and heard about everyone’s achievements of the week. The Council Fire theme for the week was Tolerance. We talked about tolerance with a metaphor of flowers. In a garden, we see that just because flowers are different doesn’t mean one kind is better or worse than another kind. We can respect others the same way. When someone is different, we should respect their uniqueness with tolerance before discounting it as negative. We also reminded the girls to be optimistic about others’ growth. If we were to throw away seeds because they were not yet blooming, we would never be able to make a garden flourish. We should see every single person as someone who is important to the whole and has the potential to be great and teach us great things.

At the end of Council Fire we found out that the Sands won the Challenge, and both teams rejoiced in a full week of hard work and growth. We closed the night with our Kohahna hymn and headed back to camp. We are sure 6^th week will bring lots of fun and even more growth.