(The view looking North from camp)

Session 1 has just finished and today we have check in for session 2-Pathfinders and the first week of Trekkers session 2/3. There is an odd calm and quiet that fills camp on the rare days when there are no kids in camp during the summer. There are no cabins lining up for meals, no one in the pool, or campers out hiking. However, there are staff getting a little extra sleep, taking early morning walks, and gathering their energy for session 2!  It is the calm before the rush of people and energy that will begin this afternoon as check in starts at 2pm. There is a great level of anticipation just before a check in here at camp. Staff are anxious about getting a new group of campers while still having memories of last session, and enjoying the idea that  we get to start brand new again today. A clean slate. An opportunity to have even more fun, and challenge ourselves to make this session even better than the last one. It is an exciting time to say the least.  So that is what is going on here at camp as  those of you coming to session 2 today are getting ready to head up to join us. Just thought you might be curious. See you soon!

So today is Friday and we are winding down our first session here at YMCA Camp Santa Maria. It has been a great first session with only 1 partially rainy day last week. This week we had a second round of color wars, a counselor hunt-which Arne is dressed for above, we had the adventurer overnight hosted by the Trekker rock climbing and hiking skill tracks down at tent village. We did our first Sunday Brunch this week along with a late sleep in which was enjoyed by all the campers and staff alike.

The first session of camp always has such a wonderful energy about it. Kids are excited about finally getting to camp and the staff are excited to finally have campers and being able to test all of their new knowledge from staff training. So when the session comes to an end there is a sense of accomplishment and a little sadness that the first session is over. We will be having the last lunch of session 1 today and then the last dinner followed by the showing of the video skill track’s final cut, the performance from the art track, and then closing campfire. And then on Sunday session 2 starts!

Thank you for sending your camper or campers to us this session, we have enjoyed having them here!.

So the first session of 2011 is underway and going fantastically! We have 85 campers in camp in the Trekkers (11-14) and Adventurers (9-10) villages. And after two weeks of staff training, the staff are glad to finally have campers in camp. We have staff from all over the country and from Australia, England, and Ireland. The weather has been wonderful with nightly temps in the high 40′s and in the mid to high 70′s during the day. We had a great view of the full moon last night and about 2 minutes of sprinkles tonight. Campers have been in the pool and lake every afternoon and hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers have been exploring the property.

Tomorrow the Adventurers are hiking up to the ranch for lunch, and the Trekker kayak skill track will be coming back from Salida. Our climbers and hikers spent two days up at our climbing area climbing and hiking the trails around camp and sleeping in an Aspen grove near our horses and herds of deer. We had opening campfire on Sunday night, Dutch Auction on Monday, Color Wars on Tuesday, Talent Show on Wednesday, and Minute to Win It tonight for all camp evening activities. There are wild games of Ga Ga being played along with Ninja, and tons of lanyards being made.  We wish you were here, and stay tuned for more on the goings on at camp! It has been a long, great day and it is time to check in on all the cabins and get some sleep.