sunset from the cabin
Ian and jilly getting along
Games on the porch
many card games were played on the cabin deck
The outdoor chapel
Kayaks
Holly and her ice cream
a little beach time
Our cabin home Our church sponsors a week of family camp in Saugatuck Michigan each summer. You go as a family, all the activities are planned for families, all the food is served family style, and there is a ton of togetherness for all.
Camp was great, really great. Imagine a whole week of summer camp with your kids. Cabins, the beach, the dining hall (where three square meals a day were prepared and cleaned up by someone who is not me, games, archery, kayaks, canoes, crafts, sing-a-longs, campfires, hiking, softball, a talent show, and morning Bible study. My kids played, laughed, and sang themselves silly.
Kevin and I managed the daily activity very well, and even relaxed a little. We certainly got to know many new people who we church with each week, and will now feel a part of that church family.
Ian had his interests torn between camp, and playoff little league back in Naperville. So, not once, but twice Kevin drove him back home to play in 8 pm games. His team is still in the tourney, and plays again tonight to make the final 4. While at camp, imagine having a whole huge property full of wooded trails, beach, cabins, and other kids to run around with. He was in heaven being free to trek around doing his own thing.
Hadley has never been so dirty or happy in her life. She loved playing in the sand and the lake, and always having a passerby to talk to. Our cabin was on the main beach walk, so everyone walked by a lot, and she spent all of her time on the porch chatting.
Ella, Holly, and Jilly learned what camp was like. Wait--make that Ella and Holly did. I moved them into the 6 yr old group for each day's activity load. They hiked, sang, crafted, and played with the best of them.
Jilly, in a moment of stubbornness, declared that she was only 5, and stayed in what she called "baby" school. Each day she helped the leaders take care of Hadley, a few little boys, and twin baby girls. I think she liked being important.
The girls shocked my by insisting that they do an act in the talent show. They were so cute, and only a little shy. They also really liked the dance party/ice cream social that followed. They loved that almost nothing was off limits. They self-served hot chocolate, they Tye-dyed, they swam, built sand sculptures, and entertained the people outside the cabin with their musical instruments they bought in town.
Other than the dirt, bugs, and lack of sleep, it was a pretty ideal way to spend 5 days. I think all of us will be on board next year.
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