What have we been doing this fall?
We love the fall season up here on the mountain. The leaves change color, the weather starts to cool down, and of course the start of college football, theres just all sorts of great things happening this time of year. Even though there aren’t any campers around camp during the fall that doesn’t mean its quiet around here. Each weekend we have different school or church groups that come in and have their own weekend retreats using various areas and cabins around camp. Even now as you read this, camp is busy as I’m conducting leadership and team building activities this week with “Park and Recreation” leaders from all across the state of Alabama.
During the weekdays the ladies in the office are busy too. They can be found all across the southeast recruiting for camp everywhere from Florida to New Orleans every day. I was even talking to a lady and her daughter about camp in South Dakota last month. There’s no boundaries to where discussions about summer camp and what’s helps kids be successful and independent will happen.
When you return next summer you’ll notice a few changes around the facilities, our maintenance shed has moved. It will now be out next to the pole barns close to morning watch. We’re not leaving its old space empty though… theres a lot of planning stilling going on but I can tell you in the not too distant future we will have all new tennis and pickleball courts and a brand new building for our constantly growing cooking classes. Even with horseback and all the different activities, cooking is the one activity that constantly outgrows its capacity. Were excited about what the future will be “cooking up” at Skyline.
Good news from the water front!! You may have noticed last summer our time in the river was limited due to a large tree that damaged the dam and lowered our water level to a point where we couldn’t use the river. The repair work has begun and next summer the water level should be up and the blob and waterslide should be in full swing!! I know all the campers will be excited about that!! (I am!!)
On a personal side note, I’ve also been busy this fall. I’ve been splitting time between jobs as I had the opportunity to purchase our local town hardware store (its less than 100 yds from camp). I’m still at Skyline full time but I gotta admit, its been fun getting to spend a little time meeting new people every day as you never know who’s going to walk in.
Even with all the recruiting fairs Katie and Evan have been too this fall, they still had time to dress up for Halloween. I just cant figure who they were dressed as………….
If you find yourself on this part of Lookout Mountain sometime in the future, (it’s beautiful up here right now, you really ought to come up one weekend) be sure to stop by camp or even “Little River Hardware & Outdoor Supplies” next time you’re in Mentone. I’d love to see ya and say “hi”!
