Storm Damage

The response from my recent blogs has been positive. How wonderful to hear from you all! It's amazing how many people read our blog, and when they see something new, I get email. Thanks so much for writing.

A few campers asked how camp is doing without them here. They want to know what camp is like. Like have the leaves changed color yet? Are the horses growing winter coats? Is it cold? So I thought I'd let you know what camp is like right now.

We've had beautiful blue sky and sunshine with white billowy clouds quite often since camp's close. Daytime temperatures have been between 70-85 degrees; nights are getting colder. Challenges how one should dress for school because while it's cold at night and in the mornings, it's really warm in the daytime.

Last week, along with much of the nation, we had storms here. Saturday evening the rains were phenomenal. It was like someone unzippered the sky and it poured and poured, reminiscent of one day we had in the summer. I didn't know if it was going to stop, ever. But it did.

Sunday night we had horrible wind. It must have been the leftovers from those horrendous hurricanes down south. I'm told it blew all night long, pounding relentlessly on the back of my house and swirling around in the woods. I knew nothing. I slept through the entire storm!

We don't have any trees down on cabins. Lots of branches and leaves are everywhere in the villages, but no trees. Quite frankly, we were lucky and I am very grateful. We did have a cluster of three trees come down into the area where we play tetherball. If you look closely in the photo at the top of this post, you can see where the trees broke off. Now we have a mess to clean up. I'm trying to get Stacy to organize a tree triming party sometime soon. Brady of course came over to inspect the damage. He's a great foreman!

The leaves on the trees are beginning to get some color. I'll make sure to take some photos when they are fully turned. Our horses are shedding out their summer coats in earnest. So in the not so distant future they will be wearing their fuzzy fashions for cold weather.

Hugs Galore

Sprucelands shares all kinds of hugs. Looking back over the summer, I think those hugs are my most meaningful memories. Seeing them through the lens of a camera helps me remember them well. Feeling some of those hugs myself warms me all over.

There are hugs that riders give to horses. Sometimes riders hug each other and the horse is caught in the middle. Sometimes riders come together as they care for a horse and before you know it, they are connected to each other and the horse. It is beautiful.

You can see why the horses miss you guys after camp is over. I don't think there's anything like it in the world. What I see happen often are riders standing and talking as they hold their horse by the reins. That simple talk time includes the horse in a connection if only because horse and rider have a chance to be together. Standing, talking and being on a summer's day. Priceless.

There are lots of dog hugs at camp. I believe we are blessed with kind, loving dogs who give us their attention and we love them back over and over and over. Flirty, Babe, Pudge, and Trinity protect us, snuggle when we need some TLC, accompany us on occasional trail rides, or chase sticks we throw. How lucky we are to know them.

Then I see friend hugs everywhere. Quiet moments slurping on an ice cream sucker at snack time. Peaceful moments when you're saying good night at bridge time or walking up the road to the barn. Moments of caring, celebration, support and silliness. The list is endless.

All of these hugs - horse hugs, dog hugs, friend hugs - go home with you and sustain you at times when you might need to reassure yourself or give yourself courage to make good choices.

Hugs are a strength, an affirmation, a gift that as you look back over your summer experience may make a difference to how you view the world and where you fit in it. Remember them. Treasure them. Keep them alive across the winter as you stay in touch and let the Sprucelands spirit inspire your heart.

Heads Up: Counselors in Training

Every summer we offer a Counselor in Training (CIT) program to young people 14 and older who are serious about practicing leadership skills, teamwork, taking initiative, learning the ropes of being a Counselor in a cabin, and discovering what hard work and responsibility is all about. I am happy to say that many of our CITs become counselors at Sprucelands; some move on to other camps to utilize what they have learned here.

Within the Sprucelands riding program, CITs have the option to assist in riding classes. Under the watchful eye of the Head Instructors, some even try their hand at teaching in the ring. Often CITs are involved in running feedings for horses; and they oversee younger campers as they practice horse care skills.

CITs are flank and drag riders on trail rides, active about keeping riders safe and confident as we journey up and down hills, through woods, cornfields and water. They must be CPR certified in order to assume such responsibilities on trail rides.

CITs also experiment with leading evening programs. To stand before the entire camp, give directions for the evening activity, and then oversee the group's participation in the event is huge. While it may be difficult at first for new CITs to speak in front of the group, that comes easier. I can see their confidence grow. It's awesome.

One of the most inspiring programs that CITs put together is Sunday night vespers. It is a campfire under the tall pines that stand on the hill above the camp lodge.

Parents don't often have the opportunity to see this haven in the woods. It is a gathering place for campers and staff to share music and meaningful talk about topics chosen by the CITs themselves.

I always hope that skills learned over the summer will transfer back home to school and community service. As a staff, we like that the confidence from camp can help these young people walk taller, speak up for themselves, reach out to other youth, think outside the box, and be a witness for good.

Right now, CITs are registering for next summer. CIT spaces go quickly. So if you are interested in the CIT program, think about whether you are ready for leadership training at Sprucelands, and claim your space today!

Julie, Laredo and Chris

You remember Laredo. He is Julie's horse. She was so kind to share him with us. Many of you rode Laredo, enjoying the challenge of making him move the way you wanted him to move.

Julie as you can see from this photo has a special place in her heart for Laredo. I love this picture. In fact, my photography teacher assessed it and said it was 'dramatic'. So of course I want to share because this captures the unique bond between Julie and Laredo.

You can see why Julie was making you a gift of Laredo by putting Laredo in the program. He is a very special friend.

Many of you in second session wanted to see Chris on Laredo. I got so busy I forgot to put those photos into the blog. So here they are.

Chris road Laredo successfully in the horse show. Everyone cheered him on. He was so proud because Laredo performed well, responding to Chris's ever so subtle, tender communication.

I remember the first time Chris got on a horse years ago. I also remember many summers past when he gradually convinced himself that riding was fun, and the work that went along with horses could be okay.

Now Chris is a responsible, well-balanced rider who joins us on weekends as a Clinic Helper. He is a safe teacher and a helpful partner in running clinic weekends.

So while you may be impressed by his riding Julie's tall, handsome Laredo, I am celebrating because Chris is a wonderfully positive example of a rider who has grown in his skills and his individual character. Best of all, he is reaching outside himself to share what he has learned. That's what we do here at Sprucelands.

Catching Up

Hey! I'm back! Took a little breather from my camp duties while school got started. Now I am settled in and ready to balance both worlds. I've actually got some catching up to do with all of you.

First of all, in these next posts, I've some photos to share that never got into the blog. So this should be fun. Will definitely bring back some memories from our SHREK summer.

This one here is a photo I took during the summer on one of my morning walk's in the woods. I got down on my belly for this one because I've always been fascinated by those little pines that pop up from the mossy patches of earth. There are a lot of these in Pirate's Cove. Do you remember seeing them on trail rides?

Secondly, I want to make sure you read the newsletters from the summer. Caitlin did such a remarkable job putting them together after Carol jump started the first session. Anyway, here is the link to the newsletters: www.sprucelands.com/camper_news.html. Enjoy them. They are really terrific. If you want hard copies and can't download them on your computer, just let me know and I'll slip them into the mail.

Third, I want to make certain you check out the times from the trail pace days we had. The winning averages and guess times were always announced on Saturday evenings, but you might be curious about where you placed. I have uploaded those results on the camper news page as well. Take a look.

So now we will move on. I'm ready to jump into the new season with all kinds of information for you. Read on because it will let you know what is happening on this end, and with preparations for 2009.