Wacky Wednesday at the Sprucelands barn.

Look at us mom! We're having a ball!

Ever since we did the Dr. Seuss theme, our campers have begged for Wacky Wednesday. Last year our theme was Finding Nemo and so instead of Wacky Wednesday, we embarked on an adventure called Fabulous, Freaky Friday.

When we jump into Wacky Wednesday or Freaky Friday, campers and staff alike dress in an array of mismatched clothing. You can tell as you look at these photos that there was either a lot of pre-planning about what to pack and then wear for this event, or each individual grabbed whatever was lying on their bunk. I hope none of these outfits make it into fashion magazines. You never know these days.

Someday we will look at this laugh at our shenanigans.

Breakfast begins the day with very strange looking people sitting in the dining hall. There are pigtails poking from the tops or sides of heads. Ribbons, sashes, pajama tops and bottoms, colorful leggings, mismatched socks, even bathing suits are layered in colorful arrangements or in cooperation with stripes, polka dots, and plaids.

There is an underlying spirit of camaraderie and daring as the kids try to one-up their cabin mates. And the outfits get more outrageous as the day progresses. What makes me smile big smiles are watching the kids ride in their riding lessons with these get-ups. I often wonder if the horses notice. I know last year one of the girls rode a big 17H gelding wearing a tu-tu and striped tights. That's a sight I'll always remember.

Doesn't matter how old we are. It's still great fun!

During evening program, there was a fashion show and parade. The kids often skip down the pathway allotted for their struts and turns and smiles. This year we had the fashion parade at the barn. You see some of the priceless photos here. Where can kids get away with this these days and feel totally accepted?

I get a chuckle when I see the resulting photos. Many of them show you how they forget themselves for a time, arm in arm with friends, prancing their way into a final pose where I generally take a photo for our end of the session DVD. Sometimes the best photos though are those where they are skipping together, head in the air, laughing out loud.

Play the music louder so we can dance!

Good friends happen during these evening programs. It's always difficult for anyone here for one week because then they have to leave the fun behind until they can return again. Best part of my writing the blog: no one misses too much. I can be a fly on the wall (or the barn) so to speak and you can step into the Spruceland adventures right from the comfort of your home.

Best part of our program last night was that we also had a Parelli demonstration by Julie our nurse. I'll write about that in the next blog. The kids then played a game called Sardines where two people hide around the barn. Everyone else counts to 40 and then searches for the hidden pair. As dark set in, the entire camp retired to Boys Hill for a campfire. I think we all fell into bed last night.

Share your comments. And I'll see you tomorrow with new episodes in Sprucelands first session.

Tuesday night stations for silly Sprucelands fun.

Evening program!

Tuesday night's evening program challenged the kids to immerse themselves in more old fashioned, back to the basics fun. The kids refer to it as a stations program. What it really means is that the kids gather over by the tennis court, organize themselves into teams, and then move from activity to activity as the whistle blows or as the evening's leaders shout "change"!

One group played follow-the-leader and got to laughing so hard that they laid down in the grass and rolled around. Such sweet abandon! It made my heart swell to think these young people in this stressed out world of ours could let go enough to roll in the grass with silly giggles. And all they were playing was follow-the-leader. They of course had to guess who the leader was. Different kids took turns.

Dylan, Gabby and Tori were pros in the karate challenges.

Another station played a karate game. The entire group of 10-12 kids started making karate moves with syncopated rhythm and pauses. If someone connected with another person, then that other person was eliminated. The last person remaining of course was the winner. Clever game. The kids love to play this. Often we play it in our weekend riding clinics. I know it's a hit there.

A third group played 'Big Bootie'. I think that's the name of the game. It's a kind of rhythm game which knocks people to the end of the line if they break the rhythm. Seems like the game could go on and on for hours and hours. Campers and staff get going and hate to stop.

Pterodactyl! Pterodactyl! Pterodactyl!

Yet another station was a game called Pterodactyl. The kids sit in a circle on the ground. They roll their lips inside over their teeth and then say the word 'pterodactyl'. Changing the range or inflection of their voice, they try their hardest to trigger giggles in other group members. Anyone who laughs is eliminated until only one member remains. Quite honestly, this game gets riotously funny because the kids get so outrageously silly.

So that was Tuesday evening. Left everyone in a fine spirit at the end of a very busy day. Lots of safe riding during the daytime program. Creative fun in the Nart Room. Great singing after supper. A pleasant interest hour after supper, and then stations of goofiness. Doesn't it just make you want to be at camp?

Comments from you will spice up this post. Wouldn't you like to join us?

Creativity is very much a part of the Sprucelands experience.

Weaving with a small loom is a hit.

While the riding program is very active morning and afternoon, so is our creative side. The Nart Room program combines both nature and art at the lodge and in the clubhouse.

Often there are hikes going out. Perhaps snakes and crayfish are new discoveries with lots of chatter about how to keep them alive. The other day the big thing was figuring a way to nurse tadpoles into full grown bull frogs. I of course have no idea whether they were bullfrog tadpoles or not. Our camp rule of thumb - much to the kids dismay - is that anything caught during the day must be released by suppertime. That way we learn and don't sacrifice the creatures in our care.

Rug weaving with t-shirts and flannel sheets - on a hoola hoop!

I popped into the lodge Tuesday and found weavers. Bria was weaving on a small loom, so focused on her artistic project that she was lost in the process. She did explain that she was altering colors of yarn so that the result ended up as interesting to look at.

Alicia and several others were weaving rugs for their cabin floor. Using a hoola hoop and strips from old t-shirts and flannel sheets, they cleverly created a rug with variety in color and texture. These girls were also very involved in making their creation both interesting and lovely.

Georgia's music is full of surprises.

While these girls created their art projects, Georgia played the piano. Her focus was also intense, and her music is always lovely, filled with spark and rhythm. She played the Entertainer with expertise. Apparently it was a recital piece from the end of the year.

Georgia was telling me how at her recital she sat down at the piano and played the Entertainer painfully filled with all kinds of mistakes. She planned it that way. Everyone was feeling sorry for her and then just as she finished, she smiled and played the fast, rhythmic piece perfectly. The crowd of parents applauded joyfully, totally caught up by Georgia's willingness to be an entertainer in her own right.

Because balance on the ground is as important as balance in the saddle, Sprucelands encourages campers to share all their talents - riding, singing, art, nature, piano - on a regular basis. Some bring instruments from home to practice. As these young people were working away in the lodge, for example, I could hear another camper practicing on what I think was a saxophone in a different room. Made me smile. This is a busy place and it brings me much joy.

Comments are always welcome. Love hearing from you.

Borrowed horses add spice to Sprucelands summer.

Sunny and Danny waltzing over to visit with me at the fence.

One of the wonderfully fun things about Sprucelands is that we don't just have campers and staff come to camp in the summertime. We also have horses come to camp. So that means I periodically put photos of horses on the blog so their owners can see how they are doing.

Recently I've had requests from Danny, Sunny and Bailey's owners. They are eager to know their horses are functioning well with the kids. And so one of today's posts shares their successes with all of you.

A big concern with new horses coming into our herd is whether they socialize well and make friends. You can see in the photo above that Sunny - the paint - and Danny - the bay - are becoming buddies. This photo was taken after a rain. I walked over to the fence and called their names. Both turned and walked over to see me. While they still do some posturing with each other, they are very pleasant horses and kind to our riders.

Bailey is the Morgan horse being ridden by Anna. I'm hearing that Bailey is a fun ride. I know Anna loves riding her and everyone thinks Bailey is both pretty and feminine. I'm inclined to believe that Bailey may be a big hit in our barn this year.

I think Bailey is saying "Hi Mom" in this photo!

Sometimes we have project horses at camp. Danny is an example of a project horse. A girl named Lia has been riding him. He can be a challenge when mounting him. However, Lia is learning that if you are patient and let him express his opinion about the mounting process, he eventually comes around and is agreeable.

Actually, Danny doesn't like to be rushed. It's like he says, "Hey wait a minute! I'm not ready yet. I still need to brush my teeth and get a shower." Once he realizes we mean business and can be patient, he sighs and says, "Okay. I'll wait till lunchtime. Go ahead."

I am so grateful for anyone who allows their horse to join us in the summer. You not only expand our string of school horses, you add a bit of spice to the Sprucelands camp season. The kids love new challenges, and more, they love your horses.

I invite you to comment...anytime.

Praising a horse Sprucelands style.

Lia and Danny are working on trotting poles.

When I talk about connecting with a horse, I would offer up how that happens. If you know about horses, then you truly understand. In the event you aren't too knowledgeable about horses, then this may expand your grasp of the interactions we encourage.

One of our safety rules is praise your horse often. Reality is that praise is as important to a horse as it is to a person. We emphasize patting or speaking kindly to the horse throughout a riding lesson or during ground work. It makes a huge difference to the camaraderie and partnership in the horse/rider team. It also influences how well that horse responds to training.

Hope and  Sunny smile their way around the ring.

My experience is that horses function with the mentality of a three year old child. Most of them are very bright. So praise helps them cooperate, follow-through, even learn. The other reality is that every time a rider praises their horse, the two of them bond. Trust happens. Skills come easier. Before we know it, the rider has a new best friend and so does the horse.

This business of loving, I will add, is a two way street. While I see the kids falling in love with their new ride, I also see horses sighing happily, smiling in their own way. It's almost as if they say 'thank you, mom' for making sure they are matched with a rider that loves them back.  Just take a look at Sunny above. You can't convince me he isn't smiling!

Have something to say? Leave a comment and share with others.

Safe horse and rider matches are important.

Continued evaluations really help with assessing riders and horses.

Tuesday's barn routines went very smoothly. Amazes me how in just two days our riders know what to do and when to do it. That gives me confidence - and it should be reassuring to you parents - that our riding staff  is well organized and able to give clear messages to both campers and horses.

You will recall the riding evaluation on Sunday afternoon right after check-in to camp. So that you know, the riding evaluations continue through Wednesday. Instructors make themselves very aware of rider/horse matches with an eye for reading whether the assigned horse/rider combinations are safe. Safety after all is our first priority.

The smiles are back.

Then we instructors assess whether the horses are challenging their rider. In other words, if that rider needs to work on her leg, will that horse enable her to do so? If that rider is working on asserting herself to be better at steering, will that horse help the process along? And if that rider over there is attacking the whole concept of better balance, do we have her matched to a horse that will build confidence?

All the time, our riding staff is asking questions of their horse/rider combinations so riders accept the challenge and meet with success. Sprucelands is not about the business of scaring people. Sprucelands is most concerned with strengthening skills, introducing new approaches, and giving practice. Along the way, we live in hope that riders learn the joy of connecting with their new equine friends.

Comments from you make my day.

A Marvelous Monday at Sprucelands!

Can you believe we're going to play tag?

I tried to write for the blog yesterday but we had a thunderstorm prance itself through here and leave us without electricity for a time. After we got the electricity back, Time Warner was down until nearly suppertime. So I had no access to the Internet. It's all fine when it works right and when it doesn't, I have to play catch up.

Monday was a terrific day all the way around. The sun was out! That was big. Everyone appreciated the warmth as they participated in barn and lodge activities. There were smiles and questions as riders immersed themselves in their orientation at the barn, learning routines and getting acquainted with horses. Our thought for the day: Be open to new ways of doing things.

Hey, this blob tag is awesome! Run - before they catch you!

I did feel the kids were dragging a little. That always happens on the first Monday because there is a let down after packing and pushing to get to camp. The nervousness and excitement of anticipating their Sprucelands experience subsides as campers discover we really are okay. Then suddenly they feel sleepy, especially in warm sunshine. So rest hour after Monday's lunch was a time to crash for a bit and crash we did.

By suppertime, everyone was rejuvenated and ready to play. We sang our hearts out in the dining hall. Then evening program - totally interactive - was an opportunity for a new counselor/CIT team to take on a leadership role. Alicia, Juliette and Lia challenged campers to an evening of running games. They oversaw an awesome program, sharing their enthusiasm with everyone.

Watch out! Here I come!

Talk about activating the little kid in us. We all joined in playing at least eight different versions of tag. The kids ran with bursts of energy and freedom that I don't see when I watch after school sports. This is different here. No school stress. No worries about peers. Kids accepted for who they are and what they can do.

Well, actually I didn't participate in the tag games, if confession is good for the soul. Instead I was your witness to it all, snapping photos for you to enjoy. I was pleased with how the kids enjoyed the simple fun of being and laughing together. Hope you are too. It was a hoot!

Leave a comment if you having something to share. Love hearing from you.

Strawberry shortcake for breakfast. Wow!

My view as I walk down to the Camp Lodge.

This morning I started my day by walking down to the camp lodge from my house. I have to get used to walking that hill. Not so bad going down. Really rough coming up. By the end of the summer, I'm more in shape.

Anyway, I glanced over to the athletic field and sighed. What a peaceful setting! What more could I want? The kids are back. There's a lovely morning stillness as the day begins, filled with expectancy for the day.

When I got down to the lodge, I laughed because everything was a tad behind. Getting the horses agreeable about morning routines doesn't always work without a hitch (pardon my pun) and making things bake on time isn't always possible on the first day of camp.

I told you life at Sprucelands was filled with surprises!

Well, let me tell you that I was quite happy about the delay when I took a look at the breakfast buffet and discovered one of the highlights was strawberry shortcake. Fruit nut that I am, I set aside the yogurt and cereal, toast, peaches and jams for that shortcake.

How many times have I started a new season with such a delectable treat? The strawberries were mouth watering and the biscuits were big, tender and warm from the oven. It was worth the wait.

My guess is that after you read this, you'll want to go pick strawberries and make shortcake for supper...or maybe an afternoon snack!! I sound like an advertisement, don't I? Anyway, try something new. Change up your schedule and do something different! We did.

Comments? Why not?

Kicking off our 2011 Sprucelands camp season!

We're back!! ~ and so happy to be here.

The first opening day of our 2011 season happened yesterday. After weeks and days of preparation and planning, we opened our doors and our hearts to new faces and old. It feels so genuinely wonderful to hear voices on the hill again. I am even more thrilled with the smiles that greet me as I move around camp.

The Toy Story theme has created a colorful boost to the inside of our beloved camp lodge. Just look at what the staff has done. Combined with all kinds of Toy Story posters and novel characters, our imagination has been running wild with aliens, a giant etch-a-sketch, Buzz Lightyear and the Woody character. Everywhere you turn there is something from Toy Story. It's like living the movies.

Toy Story magic helps us keep silly fun in our camp experience.

After check-in yesterday, I wandered to the barn to see how riding evaluations were coming along. When I walked into the indoor arena, I had to smile. The riding staff was sitting at the far end of the arena screening one rider at a time. And the scene reminded me of a very natural and quite lovely equestrian version of American Idol, complete with horses and live trees in the background.

I do think it set the stage for the reality that riding is serious and very safe business here at Sprucelands. We are a unique camp in that we carefully assess and then match riders to horses. Then we move forward in 'camp-time' to work with rider skills, challenging them to expand their comfort level and discover the joy of connecting with a new and different equine friend. During the learning process, we all grow in some way, even me.

There is never a dull moment at evening program.

Evening program last night was interactive. I always enjoy watching the kids in our initial night of fun together. At first they are a bit stiff with each other and yet by the end of the evening, it appears everyone is best friends. Laughing and chatting, wonder and surprise keep us all on our toes.

One game that is always a hit is called Common Ground. Everyone stands in a circle on a piece of paper. This time they stood on a paper cloud because that appears to be part of the Toy Story atmosphere. However, there is one less paper than there are people. The person in the center shouts out "You have common ground with me if....." and that 'if' can lead to a statement about pets, siblings, likes or dislikes, and more.

I hear, "You have common ground with me if you have a silly younger brother." Then everyone with a younger brother switches places, but one person ends up in the center again. So the game continues and before you know it, the boundaries disappear. "You have common ground with me if you love horses," and everyone scrambles again. What fun.

Even our Counselors are in the Toy Story spirit.

Re-enacting a scene in Toy Story that involved 'the claw', counselors gathered everyone at the end of evening program to 'pick them'  for teams for this first session. Those teams work closely together on a number of goals and activities. They get to know each other well.

You can see the staff got into the fun themselves. Wearing alien headpieces and donning unique staff t-shirts, they play the part. Best part are their smiles. They are getting as much a kick out of this as anyone. And so I close for now with all kinds of warm thoughts and happy beginnings to the 2011 season. If you are reading this, then you're part of the adventure. I just know we're going to have a wonderful time. Glad you are along for the ride. Sprucelands forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Your comments are welcome. Go ahead. Make my day!

Last minute reminders before Sprucelands first opening day.

Connecting with horses takes us to a special place inside ourselves.

Okay. Here we go. Summer is here! Can you believe it? That means we are back to loving our Sprucelands horses again, finding that genuine, real connection that is magical and very special. It's all about rejuvenating the kid inside us and getting back to the basics where friendships grow. Laughter is genuine at camp, learning is wonderful - very different from school studies - and we find ourselves teaching others with enthusiasm.

These are the days too when we need to remember last minute things. Incoming campers: refer to the what to bring and what not to bring page on our website. For the benefit of everyone, if you shop Amazon.com for supplies now or anytime in the year, Sprucelands earns credits that mean a little extra money toward horse expenses. Also, a suggestion about packing. Instead of stuffing a trunk or big duffle full of items, pack into a set of those drawers you can purchase at Walmart. That way you can move right in, slide those drawers next to your bed, and you are good to go.

Remember to bring all your forms to camp: medical form, rider release form, homesick plan, out of camp permission in case anyone other than your parents are taking you out of camp, and community guidelines. Simply download the forms and you are all set. Turn them into the nurse when you arrive on Sunday.

This summer will be the best ever for building memories to last a lifetime.

Also remember check-in time is between 2-4 p.m. on Sunday. Please help us by honoring the times for check-in that are established. That way we are ready to welcome you and you feel important and special.

Remember to check out the directions for finding Sprucelands. On the right hand panel of this blog, you will find directions to Sprucelands at the CONSULT MAP tab. For newcomers, please do not rely on your GPS. It will not bring you to Sprucelands. This is a rural community and GPS directors don't seem to understand how rural roads are set up. We are located on a little short section of Pit Road that is not attached to the longer section. Click on that tab. I have included a map there to help you out.

Should you have questions that need answering, call (585 457 4150) or email us (spruceland@gmail.com). I am happy to help you out. Should you have airline connections for your child, let us know their arrival time and airline before the last minute so I have time to find a driver. And if there is anything that I've forgotten here, please let me know. I'll post another information page on this blog to answer basic questions that you and others may have. 

Safe travels everyone. I'll be seeing you very soon. Staff and CIT Orientation begins on Friday morning. I'm so excited to see you all again. This is going to be a very good summer.

Leave a comment. I love hearing from you.

New program ideas for a Sprucelands summer!

Fantastic Elastic - yee haw!

So now that weekend riding clinics have come to a close for the spring, camp is ready to move forward. I'm happy to say we are making all kinds of plans for program fun, following the silly and sometimes serious theme surrounding the Toy Story movies. Sessions 1 and 3 will focus on a more western approach while sessions 2 and 4 bring in the space emphasis that Buzz Lightyear represents. So come along for the ride!

I will interject here that if you haven't signed up for camp and still want to get into the fun, we have room for you. Never think you can't get into Sprucelands. We welcome you with open arms, making you feel like part of the family very quick. 

I am happy to say that the lake is back. It is full and the water looks very clear and fresh. Since it was drained all winter, it really cleaned itself out. When it was empty, we discovered issues from muskrats who had engineered major holes and tunnels in the lake so that last year it was draining slowly. At the moment they seem to have disappeared. Pray they stay away because I like seeing a full lake and I know you do too.

Watch out! Here I come!

The clinic helpers and I have been brainstorming all kinds of new program ideas. One fun activity that Hope and Georgia brought our way is the Fantastic Elastic. Probably many of you have used it before, possibly in school. What fun it is. A group stretches the elastic and then plays games within it, often switching players from one side to the other and praying there are no collisions in the middle. Best part is everyone gets to laughing so they end up rolling on the ground with their good humor infecting everyone.

If you have similar ideas for new fun at Sprucelands, bring them with you. We have Fantastic Elastics here for you to enjoy as we have a fantastic time at camp this summer. 

Sprucelands Last Spring Clinic 2011

This group was ready to go! What wonderful friends they are.

Where has the time gone? Things have been a bit crazy between school and camp. Between recruiting horses and campers, finishing up school projects, completing our last riding clinic for the spring, and getting the facility in readiness mode for camp, I've barely had an inch to breathe. Now it's time to get our blog moving again.

Before sharing news about camp, I need to make a post honoring our last weekend riding clinic because we had an absolute, positive ball with the girls who attended. Many of these girls had been to Sprucelands for prior riding clinics. They brought with them a new bunch and so we all got acquainted or reacquainted, sharing our love for riding and horses and each other.

Of course, while we were having fun, Thunder was ready for a nap!

It was the usual routine on Saturday morning. The girls settled right in to feed the horses, groom, tack up, lead, and then remind themselves about the basics of riding. Those who were back snuggled right into their saddles, sat up straight, looked where they were going and did their own steering. I was so impressed.

Because Sprucelands gives riders such a solid foundation, they build on that each time they sit in the saddle. They are balanced. That is the most important concept. Once a rider realizes that balance is the ideal, then they can do almost anything, and they learn new skills easily.

We did a lot of laughing this weekend. I think this group brings out the giggles in us. When I saw the photo above of Thunder, I decided to share because I know the girls will get a kick out of her big yawn.

Romeo has become a wonderful clinic horse. All his riders are Juliettes!

The weather cooperated pretty well. We did have an opportunity to ride both inside the indoor arena and outside in ring #1. There were some showers that tested us. Didn't make much difference. We smiled through it all and had good rides anyway.

You can see our helpers work hard making sure the girls are safe. You can also see that the girls were riding so well on their own that their confidence is expanding with each lesson. That's such a good feeling. I can't even explain how wonderful it feels that we are teaching so many how to love horses and ride with knowledge about what is right and safe.

And so our spring clinic season came to a close. It was a good spring with wonderful scout troops. Alison tells me we have a solid schedule for the fall too. That gives me and my clinic helpers something to look forward to after camp. Terrific! Horses like to be ridden and we love seeing you here. Thank you all - riders and helpers - for teaching each other life lessons and enjoying the giggle mode. See you in the fall.

Sprucelands spirit connects scouts and horses.

Honey is so terrific with her riders. She loves them and they love her back.

This last week was so busy I am late getting photos and commentary posted about our wonderful Girl Scout troop last weekend. We had such a good time with the girls and their leaders. They invested in their experience right from the start. I love when that happens.

Saturday night safety rules kicked things off. In no time we all knew each other's names and felt like old friends. The safety rules laid our foundation for the weekend. Lots of questions were asked. The schedule was reviewed and we were good to go for Saturday morning.

The weather was wonderful and the girls were naturals with horses.

I loved that we had so many moms wanting to share in the weekend adventure. While they were interested in watching their daughters learn, they participated themselves, catching the concept that connecting with a horse was special and unique. Boomer and Bugler were their fast buddies.

Saturday morning we made the journey through riding and horse management basics. A first group of girls fed the horses. The rest took turns on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Then everyone learned to groom, tack up, lead, and ride with an emphasis on balance and making your horse a best friend.

Kissing contest!

It didn't take much to get these scouts connected. Their enthusiasm for horsemanship took right over. They immersed themselves in the whole experience, very dedicated to wanting their own horse someday on Friday night and still enthusiastic about possible horse ownership on Sunday afternoon.

Even in the heat of the weekend - it was quite hot and sunny - the girls accepted that horse care was a 365 day job. We talked about how to afford a horse and all their expenses. I could see wheels turning about the process and wonder how many of these girls will one day have a horse because they came to Sprucelands.

It's not every group that catches the Sprucelands spirit so easily. This bunch of enthusiastic, eager and dedicated horse lovers seemed to understand the caring and camaraderie we all share here, a camaraderie that includes people and horses. They allowed themselves to laugh and play while making friends and memories.

Sprucelands forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!

We even had a bit of a kissing contest on Sunday afternoon.  I felt a love between the girls and their horses that was special. So kissing noses was quite simply part of the fun. It seemed a way to let their equine friends know that their lives were touched. A kiss after all is ultimate praise for a horse, a genuine thank you, the compliment of a lifetime.

So all the clinic helpers and I say thank you back. We had a great time with you all. Hope to see you again someday in the not so distant future. Meanwhile, think horses!

Sprucelands Nart Room needs your help!

Tye-dying has been a HUGE hit every summer.

Lots of us at camp love to work in the art room. We call it the Nart Room because we blend nature and art together, running hikes as well as creating all kinds of artistic projects that support our camp theme. This year the theme is based on the Toy Story movies. Should give us all a reason to get creative. Besides, the Nart Room is literally the coolest place in camp on a hot summer day.

The Hill Parents we have enjoyed in the last years have been phenomenal. Their originality has sparked us all to get into the fun of making all kinds of uniqueness. Last year our tye-dye shirts were the most beautiful shirts we've ever made. I think we've mastered the art of tye-dying. Many campers also learned to knit and crochet. Even the Hill Moms got into the knitting piece.

I know for a fact that all winter long our dedicated Hill Parents have been coming up with Toy Story ideas for Nart this summer. Nart is coming alive with making characters like you wouldn't believe.

Our Nart Room is right up there with awesome!

Then there will be the art of making rugs for cabins by weaving pieces from old t-shirts and flannel sheets on hoola hoops. Now you've got to get into this because it's totally fun. Yvonne made a small rug sample and it's lovely. This could be a terrific project for your cabin. Then when you step out of bed in the morning, it's just like home. You will have a rug under your feet.

To help us out, please look at the following list. We need you to be pack rats for us. These are household items you can save for the Nart Room and bring to camp with you.

• Pop and beer tabs (some energy drinks have different color tabs and Budwiser beer has red tabs)
• Pop cans for making Toy Story characters
• Old t-shirts (doesn't matter if they have holes in them or stains on them and any color is welcomed)
• Flannel sheets and pillow cases
• Large hula hoops
• Cardboard egg cartons
• Plastic peanut butter or mayo jars with lids
• Styrofoam meat trays
• Water bottles or gatorade bottles
• Yarn! Yarn! Yarn!
• An old toaster oven

I promised the ladies I would post this list. So see if you can start collecting. I'll do the same. Already I have egg cartons, old t-shirts and gatorade bottles that were left behind last summer. That's a start. Toy Story here we come!

Working on the Sprucelands lake.

Working to build a road from the lodge to the dam.

Anyone who has been at camp over the past 32 years has enjoyed our peaceful little lake in one way or another. Either you have sat and talked with a friend on our 'Sit and Talk' swing, watching the waters ripple and flow or you have played in kyaks and canoes. Perhaps you've been swimming on hot summer days.

Last year we had a horrible problem with our lake. It was overrun by muskrats. They dug holes in the lake deep enough to swallow a person and constructed a tunnel system that ran under the earthen dam. Consequently, the lake didn't hold water. To our human eyes it seemed we had no more than a mud puddle to splash in.

Last fall we drained the lake. Let it be empty for the winter so the silt could wash through. Since the lake is fed by two running streams, there is constant water flow. I was really glad we had emptied it because there were times when high waters flooded the lake even with the dam gone. We could have had a major problem.

Our earthen dam has been repaired and hopefully the muskrats will abandon their project.

Well to make a long story short, Stacey talked with a guy about fixing the dam so the lake will hold water. That guy said he could do that for us as long as we had a week of dry weather before he tackled the job. Well let me tell you that finding a week of dry weather has been nearly impossible...until this last week. Finally, there was sunshine enough to firm things up.

The bulldozers arrived on Sunday and Monday they began building a road from the lodge to the dam. I don't know for sure if they are done yet. Everything was quiet yesterday, probably because it rained. Amazing the rain we've had here. If in fact they are finished, then we can put the boards back in the cement dam and this summer we should have our pretty lake back. Hallelujah! Let the fun begin!

Comments always welcome.

Hard work and horses at Sprucelands.

Hey! Look at those new guys over there!

Our work weekend was a huge success in that seven of us worked nonstop with heart and dedication. The sun peeked through so we could open and sweep cabins, clean the green stall barn, scrub buckets, clean tack, and do a basic face lift to rings 2 and 3.

The huge beech tree that fell in one of our wind storms was cut up, brush was moved, and firewood carted up to the boys hill fire circle. All in all, we achieved a great deal and feel good about it. Many thanks to Kalayne, Courtney, Becca, Terra, Mr. and Mrs. James, and Lynne.

A highlight to our weekend was welcoming two new horses from Walworth, New York. Twiggy and Stormy arrived quietly on Sunday while Kalayne and Terra were still here. You can see from the photo above - taken during afternoon feeding - that Boomer and his chess club buddies were very interested in these new guys.

Twiggy likes hugs and he has such a kind eye.

Kalayne and Terra enjoyed putting the horses through the preliminary screening. They saw how the horses managed cross-ties during a grooming. They walked them around the barn area, let them graze, and then watched how they move in ring 4.

To see if these two are spooky at all, I started the four wheeler and dragged rings 2 and 3. No problem. Neither horse did a double-take with anything they heard or saw in the barn area. It's wonderful to know they are not going to jump into our arms whenever they see or hear something new.

Twiggy is a bay thoroughbred. He is petite and moves with a grace that catches my eye. I'm impressed that he enjoys being hugged and best of all, he likes to play.

Sunday night I put Twiggy in the indoor arena to move around. He was thoroughly entertained by an orange traffic cone and one of our black mounting blocks. If he wasn't carrying the cone around, he was rolling the mounting block from place to place and then he would wander back over to us for a 'hi' and a hug.

Meet Stormy, a new friend from Walworth, NY.

Stormy is the grey Arab. His previous owners say he has a lot of action when he moves. Sounds like he will be fun to ride. Maybe we can try him out this next weekend after we fit him to tack. I can tell as I work with Stormy that he has a lot of personality, and I love horses with personality because they make our barn and riding program so much more interesting.

By the way, for Jax lovers, he has returned to our barn and will be with us this summer. I'll make certain to get a photo of him for you. He has always been popular. Right now he is getting himself acclimated to the herd.

So things are bustling here. It is June and we are working hard to be ready for camp on the 26th. Meanwhile, there are two weekend clinics these next two weeks that will be fun. Registrations are still coming in for camp. If you haven't signed up, we can work you in. Besides we expect a wonderful summer season, especially with the Toy Story theme. Our imaginations are already working overtime.

Leave me a comment and make me smile.