Greetings from Camp Nakanawa!
Hello from Camp Nakanawa! There has been nothing but joy and laughter circulating camp after opening for our 102nd summer. From the sprawling Lake Aloaloa to the woods encasing camp, everything seemed to come alive as friendships, both new and old, returned. Upon their arrival to the two-week session, the girls were greeted by their counselors with excitement and anticipation (and a temperature check).
The girls spent their first day reacquainting themselves with camp and walking through their schedules for the summer to learn about what fun awaited them. Then there was dinner followed by Evening Entertainment, concluding the day with Team Drawings. The day culminated with each girl finding a home on the Amazon or Valkyrie team.
MONDAY
Monday brought about the first day of classes in camp. The girls went through their morning classes and stopped for a momentary Apple Break at the Commissary. Campers went from canoe tips in Canoeing class to the Ziplining at the Climbing Wall, learning the important safety measures while allowing them to enjoy a fun-filled first day. On this especially warm day, campers eagerly attended Swimming to dip into the cool lake. Tennis seemed to be the biggest hit, though, as classes played Jail and Queen of the Court, emphasizing the fundamentals of the sport. Following afternoon classes, campers enjoyed dinner and an exciting Evening Entertainment of “GloAloaloa” wherein girls received glow stick necklaces and bracelets and swam in the lake illuminating the waterfront with neon colors and blanketing camp with the sound of laughter.
TUESDAY
Tuesday similarly provided a day packed with classes. Campers began working on the end-of-camp musical, Moana, in their Glee Club classes. Sailboats dotted the lake as the girls learned how to properly sail (and avoid the Boom!), and Golf clubs whooshed in the air as girls perfected their swings. During Free Swim, teams elected three campers each to serve as their Team Leaders for the session. After more classes in the afternoon, campers enjoyed dinner followed by a popular Evening Entertainment: Intermediate-Camp-wide Dance Party. The girls tried their hands at various group dances such as “Footloose” and “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” The night ended with the girls giggling, spinning around, and engaging in spirited renditions of “Sweet Caroline” and “Best Song Ever.”
WEDNESDAY
Free Day kicked off with a filling breakfast of biscuits, sausage, and grits, giving the girls the fuel they needed to embark on their exciting day. Following breakfast, campers had camp pictures, quickly changing into Free Day clothes after. Morning activities included a popular hike to Junior Camp while the afternoon boasted musical rehearsals in the Little Theater and games on the Games Field. For dinner, the girls enjoyed a Cookout on the Crow’s Nest, reminiscing on their fun Free Day. Right after dinner, campers made their way to the waterfront to board canoes to attend the Overnight. Sixth and seventh graders canoed to the Dam, and eighth graders camped at Carson’s Point. Both groups savored s’mores, played games, participated in devotions, and giggled by bonfires. The girls drifted to sleep underneath the clear Cumberland night sky dappled with shimmering stars.
THURSDAY
After an early wakeup, campers from the Dam and Carson’s Point returned to camp and were met with a tasty Pancake Breakfast that they enjoyed leisurely in their pajamas. Once dressed in blues and whites again, campers embarked on their third class day with girls’ passing levels in Archery and swinging rackets in Tennis. The horses at the Barn eagerly walked the ring with campers on their backs while divers at the waterfront gracefully glided into the water. After munching on sandwiches and wraps on the Crow’s Nest for dinner, girls donned their ties of red and blue to embark upon their first Rock Meeting of the session. The girls, hearts swollen with pride for their teams, concluded their days with mellow devotions with their counselors and cabin-mates.
The girls spent their first day reacquainting themselves with camp and walking through their schedules for the summer to learn about what fun awaited them. Then there was dinner followed by Evening Entertainment, concluding the day with Team Drawings. The day culminated with each girl finding a home on the Amazon or Valkyrie team.
MONDAY
Monday brought about the first day of classes in camp. The girls went through their morning classes and stopped for a momentary Apple Break at the Commissary. Campers went from canoe tips in Canoeing class to the Ziplining at the Climbing Wall, learning the important safety measures while allowing them to enjoy a fun-filled first day. On this especially warm day, campers eagerly attended Swimming to dip into the cool lake. Tennis seemed to be the biggest hit, though, as classes played Jail and Queen of the Court, emphasizing the fundamentals of the sport. Following afternoon classes, campers enjoyed dinner and an exciting Evening Entertainment of “GloAloaloa” wherein girls received glow stick necklaces and bracelets and swam in the lake illuminating the waterfront with neon colors and blanketing camp with the sound of laughter.
TUESDAY
Tuesday similarly provided a day packed with classes. Campers began working on the end-of-camp musical, Moana, in their Glee Club classes. Sailboats dotted the lake as the girls learned how to properly sail (and avoid the Boom!), and Golf clubs whooshed in the air as girls perfected their swings. During Free Swim, teams elected three campers each to serve as their Team Leaders for the session. After more classes in the afternoon, campers enjoyed dinner followed by a popular Evening Entertainment: Intermediate-Camp-wide Dance Party. The girls tried their hands at various group dances such as “Footloose” and “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” The night ended with the girls giggling, spinning around, and engaging in spirited renditions of “Sweet Caroline” and “Best Song Ever.”
WEDNESDAY
Free Day kicked off with a filling breakfast of biscuits, sausage, and grits, giving the girls the fuel they needed to embark on their exciting day. Following breakfast, campers had camp pictures, quickly changing into Free Day clothes after. Morning activities included a popular hike to Junior Camp while the afternoon boasted musical rehearsals in the Little Theater and games on the Games Field. For dinner, the girls enjoyed a Cookout on the Crow’s Nest, reminiscing on their fun Free Day. Right after dinner, campers made their way to the waterfront to board canoes to attend the Overnight. Sixth and seventh graders canoed to the Dam, and eighth graders camped at Carson’s Point. Both groups savored s’mores, played games, participated in devotions, and giggled by bonfires. The girls drifted to sleep underneath the clear Cumberland night sky dappled with shimmering stars.
THURSDAY
After an early wakeup, campers from the Dam and Carson’s Point returned to camp and were met with a tasty Pancake Breakfast that they enjoyed leisurely in their pajamas. Once dressed in blues and whites again, campers embarked on their third class day with girls’ passing levels in Archery and swinging rackets in Tennis. The horses at the Barn eagerly walked the ring with campers on their backs while divers at the waterfront gracefully glided into the water. After munching on sandwiches and wraps on the Crow’s Nest for dinner, girls donned their ties of red and blue to embark upon their first Rock Meeting of the session. The girls, hearts swollen with pride for their teams, concluded their days with mellow devotions with their counselors and cabin-mates.
FRIDAY
Friday drew the week’s classes to a close. With bright, warm, and sunny weather, girls canoed to a Cove by Junior Camp in Canoeing and drew self-portraits in Arts and Crafts. Campers enjoyed auditioning for speaking roles in the musical and playing games on the Games Field. The evening held bundles of fun as campers were paired up for a rousing game of Double Trouble. Campers were given a prompt such as “farmers” or “royalty” and dressed as such to find their match, some even making elements of their costumes using construction paper or repurposing beach towels. After running and laughing and doing silly dances, campers sang the “Goodnight Song” and retired to their cabins where they engaged in a quick devotion with their counselors before Taps lulled them to sleep, dreaming of the weekend’s contests.
SATURDAY
The start of the weekend meant participation in various meets for Team Distinctions across camp. The day was sunny with touches of rain to cool down camp. The Team Leaders led their teams in Pep Meetings to spark team spirit before an eventful game of Capture the Flag. Once the girls were finished traipsing across the Games Field, they enjoyed the nice respite of Apple Break. Then, it was on to the Archery Meet as arrows zoomed to hit their targets. After lunch and Rest Hour, campers donned their swimsuits and headed to the waterfront for a Lake Animal-themed Water Meet. The day continued with Saturday Night Dinner and concluded with a celebratory Council Ring. Girls sang camp songs, took part in challenges, heard a legend encouraging them to shine brightly, and received Recognitions for their positive attitudes and accomplishments in their classes. The day concluded with embers from the Council Ring fire burning out, bidding the girls farewell until the next Council Ring.
SUNDAY
A bright sky and cool air welcomed Sunday. After a breakfast of coffee cake and bacon, campers loaded the bus to head to Junior Camp to attend Pepe Church. Pepe’s message of the Gifts of Communication inspired the girls to communicate effectively through listening, engaging, sharing, and understanding. Once back in Senior Camp, campers gathered by the tennis courts to watch and participate in the Tennis Meet, playing the game Scoop to earn Distinctions. Next came lunch and a much-needed Extended Rest Hour so the girls could rejuvenate their energy for the Sunday Afternoon Event. Campers split into teams to participate in a relay across camp. The girls slid down a Slip N’ Slide, swam a watermelon through the lanes at the Dock, and played Ships and Sailors among other fun activities. The teams were rewarded with a refreshing slice of watermelon before eating Grunch dinner on the Crow’s Nest. Quickly following Grunch was Counselor Vespers where the counselor staff read The Day the Crayons Quit, inviting campers to reflect on respect, both of self and others. Cabin Night followed behind Vespers as counselors gathered with their cabins in various spots in camp from the Tennis Courts to the Games Field to Lake Aloaloa to bond together. At the conclusion of the night, bunkies climbed into their beds happy and eager for Monday’s classes.
Campers and counselors alike are looking forward to the final week’s bundles of fun-filled adventures! Although we cannot wait to see you come Friday, we are excited for a second week of happiness and cheer.
Fondly,
The 2021 Intermediate Counselor Staff
