First Day at Camp

CHECK - IN DAY AT CEDAR LODGE

Opening Day is a very exciting day at camp. There is always a rush to get last minute details finished, an endless list at the barn trying to make testing easier, making certain there are enough beds and mattresses in the cabins, a hurry to spruce up the grounds, making sure that everything is in place before the campers and parents arrive.

With breakfast out of the way, a buffet lunch is set out for the staff and any early arrivals, (there are always one or two early birds who arrive an hour or two before most of the campers check-in). Stella will bring the camper files onto the front porch of the dining hall to make checking in easier and hopefully faster. Our old campers know our Sunday routine and some of them let their parents do the checking in as they run off greeting camp friends, staff, and running to the barn or lake to check things out and see what's new.

For new arrivals, especially the younger campers who have never been to camp, the first day can be a scary experience. They don't know anyone and they don't know what camp is all about. I would like to take you through a Sunday at Cedar Lodge, to make your day a little less confusing and maybe not as scary.

Once you arrive on the grounds, park your car, get out and stretch your legs, you'll notice a large blue building. At one time this building was a church, moved from the corner in 1924. When we bought the property in 1964 we turned it into our dining hall. This is where Stella, and whoever else may be helping with check-in, will be waiting for you.

If you brought your bike to camp, you can unpack it right away and park it in the front of this building, or put it in the bike rack which will be standing nearby. As you face this blue dining hall, on the left there is a set of steps. Use these to get into the dining hall.

If your parents have not already mailed them to us, have your health forms and special consideration forms ready to turn in. Also any medications that you have must be turned into Stella at this time for safe keeping. Any balance due on your account, your canteen money, your hard hat rental ( if you don't bring your own) and T-shirt purchases will be taken care of at this time.

After all this business is taken care of, Stella will also be able to tell you where you can find your cabin counselor. Your parents will get instructions on how to drive to your cabin and will meet you in the cabin unit. The cabin names are written on the front of each cabin so you will be able to find your cabin.

Help your parents unload your belongings, go into the cabin and find an empty bunk. There are 5 double deck bunks in every cabin except Raven Haven and Duck's Inn. It is all right to have your parents help you make you bed, especially if you are on an upper bunk, I even have trouble making the top bunk. After this first day you will be on your own and will have to make your own bed.

After your bed is made, you will need to find your swim suit, put it on and over your suit, if you are going to be riding while at camp, put on long pants and the shoes you will be using for your riding class. ( note: if you don't have proper shoes someone will help you find a pair at the barn). Remember your shoes must have a heel so your foot doesn't slide through the stirrups.

When all this is done, go down to the barn where the riding staff will be waiting to see you ride. They want to be able to set-up the riding classes for Monday morning. If you are in the full riding program, they want to see everyone but beginners ride.

If you are a little nervous when you ride and feel that you didn't do as good as you usually do, and as a result you think you were put in the wrong class, don't worry about it. Tell Chris or Amy and they will take the time to make certain you were placed in the right class for your ability.

After you have ridden, go down to the beach and talk to the swimming instructors. They want to know how strong a swimmer you are. If you don't talk to them you will not be able to swim until you do. They may ask you to swim for them. I forgot to mention that you should bring a towel to the beach with you. Sometimes the lifeguards will have a free swim in the afternoon, a wonderful way to cool off on a hot Sunday afternoon.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to meet other campers. (A message to our returning campers.) Remember how lost you felt your first year at camp? Make yourself available to our new campers and introduce yourself to anyone you don't know. Make them feel "WELCOME".

In order to speed things along at our evening meeting, if you are a new camper, you will be told to meet at the dining hall in the afternoon. You will meet with a staff member who will go over the camp rules and program. The time you meet will depend on the time you check in.

Hopefully everyone will be checked in by 6 PM At or about 6 a bell will ring. This means that it's time for our cookout at the lake. When you hear the bell, go down to the beach where we will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. If you are not a meat eater, let Stella know and she will send down, "Garden Burgers", which are just as good.

Before you leave the beach, wait for announcements on what will be happening in the evening. There is always an all-camp activity planned by the staff, followed by an evening snack and an all camp meeting.

At this meeting you will meet all the staff members who will let you know what program areas they work in. Amy will also go over all of our "Emergency Procedures". Now you will have the opportunity to tell the staff what types of programs you would like to have while you are at camp. So put on your "Thinking Caps" and when Amy asks for ideas you will have some to share. The staff will try to use as many of your suggestions as they are able.

After the meeting, about 9:00 another bell will ring. This is the "Good Night Circle" bell. Everyone will gather on the lawn, some announcements will be made, like who has laundry on Monday and who is on KP or Table Hoppers. After the announcements, we all join hands, right hand over left, and sing taps. Remember to bring your flashlight.

After brushing your teeth, put on your pajamas and get in bed. A Junior Staff will monitor the cabins while the senior staff has a program meeting to schedule the week's activities.

WHAT A BUSY DAY ! Everyone should be tuckered out and ready to go right to sleep?????????? RIGHT???????