Feeling Guilty...

I feel guilty for not having written sooner. It is not like I haven't been posting things on the blog. But parents, I know you want to hear in detail what we have been up to. I will be honest, we have been busy at camp and I have been having too much fun to sit down and write. Sorry. I have been trying to post something on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TouchstoneFarm11, everyday so do check out the pictures!

On Sunday evening while I had the lodge to myself, the campers had gone down to grain their ponies or horses, it dawned on me that camp had started. This may seem like an odd thought to some people. But Boo and I work and wait 9 months out of the year for these 3 months of summer! It really is the best time of year. Plus, we have been crazy busy with the final camp push, getting all those last minute details done around the farm before camps starts.

We have a terrific group of campers! Everyone is getting along well, everyone LOVES their ponies or horses and is in the correct riding group. This makes a camp director happy and proud! Happy because the campers are happy and proud because the staff is doing a good job.

On Monday we got everyone on their pony or horse to see what they could do. Monday afternoon we did a Natural Horsemanship Lesson, re-rides (There were only 2 campers that had to re-ride. That is a 89% success match rate, which is pretty great!) and a Pony Spa Day split. So half the campers did one activity and the other half did the other activity and then they switched half way through. The natural horsemanship lesson is so that campers can feel more connected to their mount over the course of their stay. We have the Pony Spa Day so that camper who don't know how to groom their horses or ponies learn, plus who doesn't love a spa day!

Tuesday we had our morning lessons and in the afternoon we did swim tests! We had a lot of important swims ahead of us like swimming at the Wilton Falls, swimming with the horses, swimming with the small animals, and wading in the creek so we had to make sure that everyone could swim. I hear on Tuesday night there was a really intense game of Capture the Flag. Kris Young, our old camp director, was in charge on this night. (So that I can have some time off.)

This morning we had our riding lessons and this afternoon, due to the heat, mid 90s, we decided as a group to go swimming at the Wilton Falls to cool down. They are beautiful and worth a visit the next time you are in the area. So the whole camp went to the Falls, all 29 of us. We dominated the falls. a little bit. I think that when people saw 30 girls (this number includes campers and staff) they went to the upper falls, while the camp enjoyed the lower falls. We had a great time! Tonight we are going to have an ice-cream trough! Ask your camper about it, she will love sharing stories of "the trough"! I don't want to spoil your dinner with the details. The trough is the perfect activity on a HOT summer night! Tonight we are also playing Personal Scavenger Hunt! Truly the best game on EARTH!

Tomorrow we have a very busy day of swimming with the horses and a camping trip with the ponies and horses to set up and enjoy! I think almost the whole campe is going. More details to come!

Best,
Becky, Co - Camp Director