Greetings from Hilltop. It’s a beautiful day on Orcas Island and Second Session is in full swing. The campers have been here for almost a week, and they are really getting into the routine.
After arrival day, we kicked things off with Rotation Day, where we got oriented to camp and took care of various beginning-of-camp tasks. On Thursday, we jumped into our first full day of classes. So far, they’ve had three full days of classes.
Today is the first camp Sunday. On Sundays, we take things a bit slower and follow a different schedule. We sleep in for an extra hour, have a leisurely breakfast, and then head off to a special spot in camp for Sunday Assembly. A cabin or tent group leads Sunday Assembly, where we reflect on a topic important to camp.
Today, Clipper led us in a discussion of what brings people back to this place. I was struck that no campers, when they spoke about what brings them back, led with fun. Camp is incredibly fun, of course, and we’ve already had a ton of it. But when campers were asked what brings them back, it was all about people – the friendships they’re able to form here, the connections with other family members who have come here or still do, the feeling that you’re able to be yourself here without judgment, and the things you learn about yourself.
After Sunday Assembly, we participate in work projects—one way we give back to the community. These aren’t just chores; they’re a meaningful part of camp life. In a community, it’s essential that everyone gives and receives, and work projects reflect that.
This particular Sunday, we have a special project: everyone is picking up garbage in preparation for the Garbage Auction, which will happen later this week. Cabins earn points for the effort they put in today, and they’ll use those points to bid on fun prizes that will be delivered throughout the rest of Second Session.
After work projects, we have lunch, followed by an extra-long rest hour, and then a fun Sunday afternoon activity. Today’s activity is Regatta Day—everyone heads down to the dock to enjoy all the water sports and activities camp has to offer.
In the evening, we’ll change into our uniforms for dinner, and then we’ll close the day with one of our most beloved traditions: Evening Fire. We gather in the lodge to share music and poetry, and it’s often one of the most powerful community moments of the summer.
Sundays are different at camp for a reason. It’s not just tradition—it’s a necessary rhythm in a month-long session. Taking a day each week to slow down, reflect, serve, and connect helps ground the whole experience.
As we close out the first week, it may feel like we have infinite time ahead, but I know from experience that the next three weeks will fly by. For now, everything is as it should be. The campers are present, joyful, and thriving in a setting that’s safe, welcoming, and focused on what kids need most.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. Be sure to check out our Instagram stories for daily updates on what’s happening at camp, keep those letters coming for your campers, and I’ll post here again each Sunday throughout the session.