Friday of Camp One was another beautiful, fun day. The morning was spent on our final chapel program, how you listen to God's call for you and how it influences your live and your interactions with others. Family groups spent time closing up and saying goodbyes.
That afternoon we had several on campus activities. First we had a block of choices where the campers could prepare for the night ahead - they could choose songs for the Eucharist and set up the chapel, decorate for the banquet, or bake bread for the Eucharist.
After that the campers got changed and we headed to the field for games and slip 'n slide:
The weather was just perfect - beautiful blue skies, warm air but a good breeze. Ideal for camp and much appreciated after storms earlier in the week.
After the slip n' slide, we swam at the pool before going to our cabins to get ready for the night ahead. The campers gussied up for the banquet and Eucharist.
Here's Cabin 6:
And here's almost all of Cabin 5:
Sitting waiting for dinner:
The banquet decorations always include colored lemonade.
Co-Director Cameron Swallow invited her husband to the banquet (they live in Sewanee) because it was their 21st wedding anniversary!
A banquet isn't complete without the kitchen lovelies' fudge pie:
Closing Eucharist - seems like we had just opened with a Eucharist! The week of camp flies by. Worshipping together on the last night of camp is always so special.
Praying for our graduates:
Singing last songs:
A picture of the Calvary group from Memphis, being silly:
After the Eucharist the staff scurried to set up for the dance. Here's Cameron in her fine evening wear helping Callie assemble a speaker stand. Silly silly.
After the dance we had a bonfire and then sent the kiddos off to bed. Of course it was the last night so they didn't really sleep - so we made them pack!
What a great week of Camp One! Another session in the books for the year. Stay tuned for updates about Camp Two, which is kicking off their session now.
Thursdays at Camp Gailor-Maxon are based on service learning. The activities for the afternoon are picked based on needs in our community here on Monteagle Mountain. With that in mind, the afternoon Thursday was spent in three groups. The first group went to the nursing home across the street to sing and make yarn octopi.
(for privacy reasons, no pictures are taken at the nursing home).
The second group served our very own Dubose Conference Center, helping with weeding and mulching in the courtyard as a way to give back to our community here.
The third group went to Sherwood, a community down the mountain, and helped clean and do yard work for their upcoming 4th of July celebration.
After returning from our various service activities, we got ready for the Skit Night and Coffee House. Every year at Camp Gailor-Maxon the kids make cabin skits on the second to last night of camp. This year's skits were as funny as ever.
There was Cabin Six with the "Hungry Games"...
And Cabin Two with a rap off:
Cabin Three did a simulation of a Pokemon game:
And Cabin Five did a dance/song medley:
Then it was time for Coffee House. There is always a running counselor skit as the backdrop for Coffee House. This year's skit was a "United Nations" with the acts as half-time performances. Phil led the United Nations as the US of A. Also in attendance were Russia, England, Scotland, and Louisiana.
Coffee House brings out great talent. There was a camp band featuring a fan as percussion and double ukuleles.
Patrick, Jonathan, Jacob, and Abas told a story.
Abbie played the ukulele and sang a song.
Will Namie and Jake Stephens sing to a Justin Bieber song (well... Jake sang. Will danced, if you want to call it that).
And then Jake sang a song for real, Boston by Augustana.
Ruth and Sophie sang and played Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
James did a comedy routine - and entertained the crowd quite well!
The night was full of talent and a wealth of support and love for each other. That's it for Thursday - more tomorrow about Friday!
Phil hails from Germantown, Tennessee but calls the Boy Fort in Chattanooga home when he's in session for school at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Phil attends St. George's, Germantown and is one of four brothers. Phil is studying environmental engineering, loves to cook using natural ingredients, and finds a humor in a good, ironic sweater. He bakes delicious bread and his favorite animal is a puffin.
