My Camp report for Spring 1999


Going to camp this time was really neat. Daddy was confident of the way so he didn’t spend much time with directions. We didn’t run into any road construction and we got to camp earlier than last time. Daddy even remembered to stop at a shop along the way so we could get going home gifts for Mommy and brother. That way we didn’t have to find something on the way home on Sunday. I was excited too because this weekend was to be the first time the lodge had given the little girls their very own weekend. Big girls were welcome, but the weekend was mainly for us. When we arrived at camp Taffy was already there; we were second and when Daddy registered me, my room was ready so Daddy moved me right in. By 1:00 I was visible with my new hair cut and walking to the main lodge. By then several of the other girls had arrived and were moving in to their rooms. We gathered in the main lodge to talk as we waited for our first Ballet class to start at 2:00.

By about 2:30 the first Ballet class got started with four of us. The other girls either hadn’t arrived yet, several planned to arrive on Friday, or needed more time to settle in. The first class was a little hard since I hadn’t practiced as much as I should have at home between camps. I didn’t take to long though and I was really having Fun and doing pretty good. At around 4:00 we went to change and then we met back at the lodge. Some of the girls were shy and were reluctant to become visible at first. They sent their big brothers and Daddies over to the main lodge to talk with us.

We had a wonderful time together. We played jacks, checkers, and Ms Farida taught us a game sort of like jacks, but you use six small pretty stones. This last Easter Mommy bought Daddy a stuffy Bunny; I figured she was really for me so I named her Suzzy. Suzzy GIGGLES! I brought Suzzy to the lodge and introduced her to the girls. They all thought Suzzy was very nice and she certainly made everyone smile when she giggled. We had a super time; specially talking with the new girls. I love meeting new friends. At about 8:00 we went into the dining room for dinner. As usual the dinner was super excellent and we had lots to talk about so dinner was great fun. We finished around ten and since I was quite sleepy from my big day I went nighty night then.

The next morning (Friday) I woke up at 7:00 and Ballet class was to start at 9:00 so I had lots of time to get ready. I wore my new school jumper over my Ballet leotard. In my matching book bag I packed my Sound Of Music song book, coloring books, paper, crayons, pencil case, Winnie the Pooh purse, beading stuff, chalk for hop scotch, and my skipping rope. I put my TuTu, dance slippers, and towel in my mesh bag and I was ready to go; so off I went. I was a little early so I took a little walk outside until it was time for class. I ended my walk at the building where class was to be. Taffy was already there waiting so her and I talked while we waited. After a while the man came to open the building so Taffy and I went in and got ready for class while we waited for the others. As it turned out there was a little mix up and they were waiting for Taffy and I up at the main lodge, but Taffeta figured it out and everyone came down for class. After we finished our stretches and warm up exercises, Ms Farida reviewed the last days lesson with us and then went on to new material. In chat I’ve heard that some girls think our Ballet class is just a fantasy or that we just pretend. I can tell you For Sure, we have Real Ballet classes. Ms Farida understands that we all have different abilities, but expects us all to try and improve. Friday was a little hard as it took me a while to understand a sequence of steps. I was smiling brightly when I finally figured out how to do it.

After Ballet class we went for breakfast. I really enjoy our Friday breakfasts because they serve them buffet style. We just pick up what we want and go eat. They have bowls of fruit, cereal, juice, milk, and even doughnuts. So on Friday mornings breakfast goes fast so get to go play sooner. After breakfast I went to change. That’s when I found out what I forgot to bring to camp this time. When I got out the blouse I wanted to wear it had a button missing and I hadn’t brought any spare buttons nor a sewing kit. Oh well, I did have some extra pull over tops with me so I just changed my mind about what I would wear. I wore a white turtle neck top and my red knife pleated skirt with white tights, white braided belt, my Sailor Moon pin, Winnie the Pooh watch, and white tennies. We gathered back at the lodge and played inside since it rained most of the day. Oh, I must tell you about Catrina’s dolly. Her doll’s name is Lisa; she’s very pretty, and she has lots of toys and lots of pretty outfits to wear. On Friday Lisa was all set to go roller blading in the morning, but Catrina changed her outfits two or three times as the day went along. Lisa even had a rain coat to keep her dry. I wanted to give Lisa a hug, but I wasn’t quite brave enough to ask Catrina so I didn’t.

Later in the afternoon there was a mystery boy that showed up in the lodge. He was only there for a few minutes. After he left Mr. Ray, the resort manager, told us we could expect another one our girls to arrive soon. Sure enough a little later Debbie and her Mommy came to the lodge. Debbie was a little shy at first, but she settled in fast and we had a great time talking with our new friend while we continued playing. Once Debbie’s Mommy saw that Debbie was Okay she went shopping for a while. Debbie only found out about Camp about three weeks before Camp so she was really hurrying around to get ready. She wanted a special dress for Camp and it arrived at her house the day they left for Camp! We’re very glad she was able to come. After a while it was time to change for dinner. I wore a white blouse with my Winnie the Pooh pin, a pink eight gore skirt trimmed with white lace and bows, white tights, black mary janes, white belt with my Sailor Moon pin on it, and a 60 yard white organza petticoat. Later, during another delicious! dinner, we heard that Karen had arrived, but her big brother had gotten lost on the way to Camp and was very tired. So Karen had gone directly to her room so her big brother could get some sleep. One of the things that makes staying at the Rainbow Lodge so wonderful is how nice everyone is to us. They always have a happy "good morning" lots of smiles and make you feel like you’re at home.

On Saturday morning I was up early again and got all ready for Ballet class. This time everyone arrived and about the same time. Along the way we got to meet our newest girl Karen. Karen is a very happy, smiley, sort of girl so we all made friends quickly. Karen was another who had short notice; she just found out about Camp about two weeks before so she didn’t have much time to get ready, but we’re sure glad she came. Saturday was a bright sunny day, the kind that makes ya happy just to be looking at it. Ballet class was Great! it seemed like things really came together to me. I’m a little wobbly in some positions, but that will improve with practice. Poor Taffeta had a hard time on Saturday; I think she was a little short on sleep. Things went better for her as the day went on. Ms Farida is a wonderful Ballet teacher. She is very patient with us and helps us understand what we need to do when we make mistakes. I try very hard to do good because I would really like to dance some day and I think she hopes some of us will really dance someday too. For Ballet class I always wear a white leotard and white tights. I wear either my pink TuTu or my white TuTu and matching ruffles and slippers.

After class we went for breakfast. On Saturdays and Sundays the breakfast is served at the table from the menu. I had pineapple juice, French toast, and tea. I just love French toast with maple syrup. Since it was such a lovely day, after breakfast, we changed to our play clothes and went outside to play. I started by swinging on the swings; swinging is another thing I love. After that Ms Farida drew out a hop scotch court for us and I got out my long skipping rope. Then we all took turns skipping and hopping. I think Sarah Jayne was the skipping champion this time. Wow! that girl can skip and fast too! I improved my skipping this time. I was able to get in six skips before I tripped; last camp I could only do four. My hop scotch really needs improving; I only got up to 2 before I made a mistake. For some reason I keep switching legs and that’s not allowed. We all took turns skipping, spinning the rope, and doing hop scotch. We had a Super Wonderful! time. We were going to do hide and seek, but somehow we never got to it. We’ll have to do that next time.

By mid afternoon we went in various directions. I got my camera and walked around Camp taking pictures of the flowers growing there. Some girls went to rest and others to change early for our Birthday Party. As I was walking around camp I noticed that Uncle Tom and Aunt Garnet had arrived. I went to greet them and we had a nice talk. Soon it was time to change and I decided I wanted to be more fluffy. I always wear a petticoat, but I wear a little one under pleated skirts so they don’t look silly. This time I wore a white blouse, a yellow three tier skirt trimmed with white lace, white tights, black mary janes, white belt with my Sailor Moon pin on it, and a 40 yard white organza petticoat trimmed with yellow lace. I got back to the main lodge just in time for the Birthday Party. Aunt Garnet and Uncle Tom presented each of us with a small gift, I got a 101 Dalmatians wind chime, and they also led us in playing some nice guessing games for nice little prizes. We had cake, ice-cream, and punch. When the party was ending Petricia came around handing each of us a little birthday gift. I got a Sailor Moon doll and I think she’s Way Kewl!

After that I went back to my room and got book 1 of my American Girl’s Samantha book set. Taffeta had asked me to read to her. When I got there several girls gathered ‘round as I started to read. I like to read very much and I think the other girls enjoyed it; though Taffeta fell asleep. I guess that’s what supposed to happen when you read to a three year old though. I cried a little a couple of times ‘cause there’re a couple of parts that really touch my heart. The other girls didn’t seem to mind. After that the ones that said they wanted to sing got out their song books and we sang some songs from the sound of music. We sang "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favorite Things" together and I sang "Edelweiss" by myself. On Saturday nights several people from the local community come to the lodge to eat. Everyone was very nice; there were lots of smiles and friendly hellos. After dinner we all stayed up talking and playing until way late because that was our last night together.

The next morning I was up and ready a full hour before Ballet class. I picked up my camera and went for an extended walk around the Camp grounds to make pictures for my Camp web pages. As I came to a particularly beautiful meadow I paused to meditate. Everything was in balance; peace and clarity were with me and I knew I am on my path.

Ballet class was only one hour because we all needed to pack and let our Daddies and big brothers load the cars after breakfast. We spend the whole time during breakfast writing in eachother’s memory books. Then sadly, slowly, we went back to our rooms to prepare for our trip home. After the packing was done it was time for the Daddies and big brothers to say good-bye; then off for home.

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