My Camp report for Fall 2002


My trip to Camp started at 5:00 AM on Wednesday Morning. Daddy and I like to travel in the early morning. The sun was just starting to rise as we changed our direction from east to south. We made a few stops along the way including a tiny bit of shopping. I arrived at Camp a little before 11:00 AM. My room was ready so Daddy moved me in right after he brought my contribution to the toy collection to the lobby. By about noon I was visible and outside for my usual first look around Camp. The change this time was that the lobby at the main lodge had been redecorated. I did not get pictures this time because there always seemed to be lots of people in the lobby and I prefer my pictures of the Camp facilities to not include people. I will try again in the Spring. There were many girls showing up early for Camp again. There were at least six others when I was first out and around Camp. I think three had been there since Monday. By the time we sat down for dinner in the evening, we were over twenty. This Camp had the most girls in attendance ever with twenty-nine girls. There were also several Significant Others in attendance too. Wednesday was quite chilly out so I stayed inside the main lodge most of the time. We had a fine game of chutes and ladders before dinner. Before that, we watched four episodes of Cardcaptor Sakura from a DVD that Suzy May brought. We watched them on a cute, tiny, portable DVD player that Karla brought with her. Wednesday night was full service dining in the dining room. I had a tuna steak that was very tasty. We talked together until it got to be about 10:00PM. By then I was very sleepy and retired for the night.

On Thursday morning, I remembered that Taffy would be arriving on Thursday. About a year ago Taffy helped me get a pretty yellow cheer outfit. I had not worn it before, but Taffy had told me some months ago that this would likely be her last Camp. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her help so I decided to wear my yellow cheer outfit. Thursday was quite cold too so I wore my heavy cotton ballet tights to help me keep warm. I went over to the main lodge and had a cup of hot cocoa, but the lobby was not open. I sat on the porch for a while and talked with Meagan. Suzy May, Catrina, and Karla arrived back from a trip to a donut shop. Apparently Karla had never had a Dunkin Donut before and in her enthusiasm she ate two. I imagine that spoiled her breakfast. The air was quite cold so I went back to my room and read a Samantha (American Girl) story. When I was done I went back to the main lodge and had another cup of hot cocoa while I waited for the lobby to open.

At about 9:00 AM the lobby opened and I went inside. I sat at a table and started to color one of the pictures in my coloring book. I was about halfway done when breakfast was served. Breakfast was served buffet style and included one of my most favorite things to eat; French Toast. Latter, I remembered that Taffy would be meeting Samantha and Arcee at the airport to bring them to Camp. That would make her arrival somewhat later than I had figured in the morning. I stayed in my cheer outfit through the morning, but in the afternoon I decided to change to something a little longer and warmer. Taffy, I'm sorry we didn't get to do a cheer together. I really do like my yellow cheer outfit. As it turned out Samantha and Arcee had missed their flight. They had a big adventure making new travel arrangements and finally arriving at Camp. I hope they tell about that in their Camp reports. Taffy and a delegation of girls traveled to the airport and brought Samantha and Arcee to Camp Friday evening.

In the early afternoon several intrepid girls gathered for the nature walk. I didn't have appropriate clothes with me for cold weather hiking so I decided to stay at the lodge. I read and colored and talked with the others who remained until they came back. The girls said they had a wonderful time on their walk though it was quite "nippy". They said they even had hot cocoa along the way.

By now, it was coming up on time for the Dolly's Tea Party so I went to my room to change and collect my dollie Siobhan. I wore my white fluffy dress with the pink sash and bow. Siobhan wore her yellow fluffy dress. We returned just as the cookies and tea were being put out for us. Siobhan and I sat at a table together and I shared my chocolate chip cookie with her along with a few sips of tea. After the Tea Party, I took Siobhan back to my room and changed her clothes. Then I returned to the main lodge.

On Thursday evening before dinner I got to play a new game called Pretty Pretty Princess. In the game you try to collect a full set of jewelry and a crown. I was very surprised that I actually won the game. We had just finished playing and it was time for dinner so we went into the dining room. We had a buffet style dinner that included a number of tasty looking choices. I had the fish and added potatoes and green beans. Later for desert I had lemon cake. When we finished dinner we again sat down to play Pretty Pretty Princess. This time Ms. Farida and Ms. Patty joined in the game. After the game, I wet out on the porch for a while, but did not stay long as the air was cold and I was sleepy so I said my good nights and retired for the evening.

On Friday morning I slept in for a while and woke up at about 7:00AM. I decided to wear my yellow pop skirt and a white blouse. I went to the porch at the main lodge and had a nice cup of hot cocoa. Friday morning was not as cold as the prior days. I went into the lobby and continued coloring the picture I had started the day before while I talked with the others who had gathered there. When I finished the picture, I practiced my Japanese writing for a while. Then it was time for breakfast. Breakfast was yummy and I managed to have another cup of hot cocoa with it.

After breakfast, there was a seminar on hair care. I went to that and learn many helpful things about keeping my hair clean and looking pretty. After the seminar, I went back to my room and changed to my yellow skirt with lace covered ruffles. When I returned, Taffy and I sat together in the lobby to talk for a while. We had a nice long talk mostly about dollies and clothes. Others stopped by and joined in the conversation from time to time. I even got a fashion tip that I should wear a black headband to go with my black shoes instead of the white one I was wearing. Taffy offered that she would look for one for me when she went to the airport to pick up Arcee and Samantha later in the afternoon.

The day was warming nicely and the sun was out. I went back to my room to change into my sparkly yellow chiffon fluffy dress. That dress just loves the sunshine and I feel so happy wearing it outside on a sunny day. When I returned outside, Aunt Tessy and Aunt Garnet had arrived. We greeted and had a nice visit. Aunt Garnet had a little bag; she held it open and told me to reach in to see what was in it. When I did, I pulled out the cutest little yellow beany teddy bear! I gave the little bear a big hug and I gave Aunt Garnet a big hug too. For the past few weeks I had been thinking that I should get a tiny stuffy for my new dollie Siobhan. My dollie Michelle has a tiny stuffy bunny named Hoppy. My dollie Ally has a tiny stuffy lamb named Rosie. I though it would be nice if Siobhan had a tiny stuffy bear and I thought it should be yellow! The little bear Aunt Garnet gave me was just right! After that, I made a point of being outside as much as possible. I took a little walk and said hello to the deer, the squirrels, and the birdies. When I returned to the main lodge, Vickie asked if I was all right and remarked that I looked glum walking out in the meadow by myself. Vickie is a very sweet girl and I thanked her for her concern. Her remark seemed very strange to me though because such occasions are most precious and joyous for me. I think this is very instructive of how someone observing from some distance away can reach conclusions that are not connected with the real events.

Then it was time for our crafts. The first project we made was a little picture frame. We decorated them with stickers and wrote out name on them. After that we made headbands. We wove ribbons around them to make a pretty pattern. Then we glued little teddy bears to the sides. My head band has yellow and gray ribbons and a yellow teddy bear. I will look in the craft stores at home for another yellow bear for the other side. The last project was to spell your name with little beads with letters on them. We could put the beads on a pin, or on a string so we could wear it as a bracelet or necklace. I made a pin.

After crafts, it was time for the treasure hunt. I decided not to participate because a lot of it was held outside and I did not want to chance damaging my special yellow dress. So I stayed inside with a few others and talked until dinnertime. When the treasure hunt was done, the treasure turned out to be a nice bunch of stickers that everyone could share. The dinner on Friday was served buffet style and I had the beef stroganoff. That was very nice and I had lemon cake again for dessert. There was going to be a fashion show during dinner put on by Aunt Tessy on behalf of a lady who makes pretty dresses. The dresses did not arrive in time for Aunt Tessy to bring them so there wasn't a fashion show. After dinner there was another game of Pretty Pretty Princess organized, but I decided to watch some cartoons that were on the television in the lobby. After I that, I went outside for a while to talk with the girls on the porch. I was starting to feel sleepy so in a short time, I returned to my room.

Saturday morning was lovely. The weather was quite warm and I got dressed quickly so I could go out. I wore my white cherry print pop skirt with a white blouse. I went to the porch for a cup of hot cocoa and talked with the girls that had gathered there. After breakfast Chrissy and Stephanie went to play a game of tennis. I decided to go outside and watch since it was such a lovely morning. As I was watching and talking with Spinner a truck pulled into the parking lot. When I turned to see who it was, I saw Kenya. She walked over to us and we talked while walking back to the main lodge. I had brought some pictures to show what I am hoping for in the way of new dresses. I also hoped Kenya could help me with a problem. When I was ironing for Camp I had an accident and put a hole in the ruffle of one of my party dresses. I was hoping she would mend it for me. I excused myself to go get the pictures and dress. After I returned, I was very happy that Kenya said she could make the new dresses I was hoping for and she could mend my dress that had the hole.

By then it was after 1:00 PM so I decided to go get ready for the party. I changed into my new white fluffy dress with mint green trim. That dress has a wonderful sparkle organza sash, but I could not tie it nicely my self so I carried the sash with me as I returned to the main lodge. Stephanie's Mommy was on the porch and she was most kind and offered to tie my bow. Then I went looking for Kenya because I had one more thing to give her. I found her inside and she asked me to turn around so she could see my new dress. She tugged at the bow a little then told me I was pretty in my new dress. The time was getting close for the party so I went back to my room to get my present for the gift exchange and went to the nightclub building with it in hand. The Ballet recital was first and it was very pretty. I did not dance this time, so I was able to watch. The recital was very pretty; some girls wore tutus and others wore their party dresses. I think both looked lovely.

Then, Brenda played her flute. Brenda is a real musician and she plays wonderfully. She filled the room with a very happy atmosphere. As I think of it, Brenda made Camp special in another way too. When she was practicing the sound of her sweet music would float across Camp creating a magical air all around. Next, we had ice cream and cake. That was very yummy! After that, there was a magic show. The lady who did the magic was very good with her tricks and the show was lots of fun to watch. We were afraid for Mr. Frank's health as he helped with the last trick, but it turned out all right. Then the gift exchange started. If you had brought a gift for the exchange, then you would get a gift. The gifts were numbered and the girls who were to get a gift got to pick a slip of paper from a basket. When the paper was opened there was a number on it and the girl got the gift with that number.

After the party I went back to my room to drop off my gift and then I returned to the main lodge. I signed up for the fashion show that would be held during dinner in the dining room. Then I paused to think about how fast Camp was going by and that it would soon be over. Daddy and I had planned an early departure on Sunday morning, but I resolved to stay up later than usual to spend more time with my friends. When I returned, it was close to dinnertime so I talked and played with the others until it was time to be seated for dinner.

At dinner, Tammy (her first Camp) came up to me and told me she had read my web site and it had been a help to her. I was so happy; it's so very nice to know and very considerate of her to tell me. I hope every girl can take some time and put up a web site to tell about herself. We are all somewhat different and I think the more of us that do this the better the chance will be that a new girl who is just discovering herself can find a place that is helpful to her. Dinner was yummy and it seemed no time at all when it was time for the fashion show and Ms. Patty was telling us who we should line up behind to be in order for the show. As we were called, we walked to a small clear spot in the dining room and turned around so everyone could see our dress. Most of the girls also curtsied, but instead, I bowed in the style of a polite Japanese girl.

After dinner was over I decided to go change my clothes so I would not damage my dress as I spent the rest of the evening with the other girls talking in the lobby and on the porch. I quickly put away my dress and did most of my packing. Then I put on my gray pleated skirt and a white blouse. I took along my white cardigan sweeter too. When I returned to the porch, Lorie and some of the others were making ice cream. Lori had brought the ice cream freezer and the other items required. Every one was having a great time. Lori also brought some sparklers so we could celebrate Guy Foulks (sp?) day. We were actually a little late, but that did not deter us. By the time it was getting past 11:00 PM I was very sleepy so I bid everyone Oyasuminasai and returned to my room.

We didn't get started as early as we had hoped, but at about 7:00 AM Daddy packed the car, settled my account and we headed for home. Now I have all my Camp laundry done and everything is put away. Now I get to dream about Spring Camp.

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