July 5-10, 2009 at Camp Friendship

116 participants joined us at Camp Friendship last week, July 5-10. Several campers extended their stay from the previous week. Other campers began their stay this week with one of my favorite times: Sunday Check-in. I enjoy seeing the smiling faces of returning campers, and meeting those who are coming to camp for the first time. I also enjoy seeing caregivers and parents of campers. I met some families 15 years ago, when I became the full time Program Director at Friendship Ventures. There are also many families I met before I became Program Director. I met one family in 1985, when I was a Camp Counselor at Camp Friendship. I was a counselor in a cabin still called Poplar; their son, Ira joined me, a few other counselors, and 15 other boys, for a week at Camp Friendship. His father and mother, Sol and Sybil along with their daughter, Joy, make the trip from North Dakota each year to bring Ira to camp for two weeks. Each summer, I look forward to finding out how the family is doing.

Mercy has been coming to camp since 1997. When her parents brought her to camp last Sunday, they said that they did not tell their daughter that she would be attending Camp Friendship this week; however their daughter knew in her soul that she would be attending camp soon. Her mom said that the previous week, Mercy took out her sleeping bag and sign language book in preparation for camp.

Other highlights this week:

• Camp participant, Todd, let his staff at the group home know that he has dreams of sleeping in the top bunk at Camp Friendship.
• David is spending his fourth week at Camp Friendship this summer. He loved the St. Cloud River Bat's game, and the rest of the time he spent with camp. We will be sad to see him go and we are anticipating his return next summer.
• Keenin is already talking about next year's camp out, and has requested that it be on Thursday night next year, because for him the camp out is the highlight of the week. He is also excited for the talent show, which we have every Friday before campers say, "goodbye for now!" to us.
• Four campers participated in the Horseback Riding program last week. Jim can tell you all of the facts about the horse he rode, Sonjay. He knows she is a 9-year-old Morgan, who's back nearly reached his neck when they stood together. Camp Friendship partners with Project Astride out of Avon.
• The guys from Blue Heron enjoyed Camp Friendship's indoor pool last week. They reported that the pool water is "nice and warm."

Respectfully,

Chet

Program Director