Christmas eve in July and a poem

Well Howdy again Parents!!!!! And a Merry Christmas (Eve) in July to each and every one of y’all. Its been a really busy day up here on the mountain today with so much going on in preparation for you know who’s arrival tonight as long as everyone is asleep and has been good all year!! Before we get too far into that we wanna take a minute to say we had to say good bye to all our mini campers this morning. It was really sad watching them all leave but they were hoary to see they parents and pretty much every one of the campers told us they’d see us next year!!! It sure was fun Mohave them around vamp all week. Watching them follow their counselors around from activity to activity like a bunch of little ducks. They loved being here and especially performing in front of the whole camp just before the dance with Camp Laney a couple days ago! So long little guys, were gonna miss you and hope you keep in touch with all our new friends you made this past week!!!!

OK, now on to what everyone else did today while wait for Santa’s arrival tonight. First and foremost everyone was on their BEST behavior today. No one wanted to be the reason St. Nick might skip over a cabin with his bag of goodies. I’m happy to say it was a trouble free day so were looking good for a surprise in the morning. Today all the campers were busy enjoying Mother Natures inability to make up her mind as it was sprinkle here, then sun and clouds and maybe some rain……Nope!!!! no rain now just the look of it and then maybe some more sprinkles again. One thing the campers have gotten really good at is going from their regular activity to the rainy day activity and then back into the regular activity all in the course of one class period. Our CSR Class was repelling and climbing from the bridge to the river today and I changed my mind on if we were gonna do it 4 times between breakfast and rest hour (thats no joke, that’s real). Thankfully the sun came out at the last minute and we were able to bounce the river. The girls really enjoyed sharing the river wit canoeing class that kept cruising by each period. At the same time the ladies in our LT class were learning life skills with our maintenance crew as they were taught how to check a tire for leaks, inflate a tire, how to check the oil and also how to jump a car battery off in case they need that in the near future since these are the oldest campers in camp!

Tonight was everyone favorite time of camp and thats Santa’s Workshop! The girls did face painting, giant inflatables, made paper chains and ornaments for our outdoor Christmas tree. They also made Christmas bracelets, drawings, and even wrote some Christmas letters that will be sent off to some of our town’s elderly residents through the MERF Foundation here in Mentone. They really love getting Christmas cards from the girls sin the middle of the summer!

Not I know I said its the middle of the summer, and you may even feel like its the middle of the summer…. What If I told you is was gonna snow here at Camp Skyline tonight?? I know you’re checking your calendar and yes it says July, but you gonna believe me or your lying eyes on this one???Trust me people, our oldest girls from Riverside went out tonight and made sure all of our campers wake to a white Christmas in the morning! Were not bringing in a super cold front…. we’re just teaching them the lost art of how to properly toilet paper the other cabins in camp!! I was able to “acquire” a photo as they had just begun (don’t think their finished in the pic….. we still had a lot of TP to dispense of before the night was over!!). Congrats girls, great job giving all the campers a white Christmas in the morning.

OK before I go I don’t wanna name drop but yes, were gonna get a visit from you know who tomorrow morning and he will meet everyone in the gym and give them presents and then read a Christmas story to them. Although he doesn’t really call me directly (he does text though) I’m feeling pretty confident since one of my trail cameras close to camp was able to catch Rudolf just last night so I know he’s close!!!! Don’t believe me, just look a the picture for yourself!!.

so since it IS Christmas eve, what would it be without a little poem. I hope you guys have a great night as we get ready for a GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Twas the night before Christmas and all across camp

the humidity was high, everyones clothes were all damp

The stockings were hung by every campers bunk

In hopes that St Nick would leave something in their trunk

the campers were all nestled and snug in their beds

While visions of ropes course and horseback swirled in their heads

With Sally in her PJ’s and I with my cap,

Had just settled down for a much needed nap

When out in the camp there arose such a clatter

I stumbled out of the bed to see “whats the matter?”

Away to the windows I flew like a jet

if something was outside, I hoped it hadn’t left yet

The moon had a reflection on the river below

If something was in the water, I wasn’t gonna go

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

but a miniature sleigh, pulled by some nice looking deer

With a little old driver so lively and quick

I thought I was seeing things, perhaps I was sick

More rapid than eagles, he called them by name

No matter who he was, this fella had game

First Driftwood and Joywood, Beetlebum, and Bevshack

Then Bar H, Hot box and Brookwood, he toted his pack

Then on to Rosey Den, Edmae and Totem Hall

Then Hillbillies and Deweys Den, he hit ’em all

Then across the river he flew in a snap

He knew his way around, he didn’t need a map

Up on the roof, of Summerplace he landed

And quickly left them all presents, and did it single handed

And then in a twinkling, on to Riverside’s roof

He went straight down the chimney, in just a “poof”

As I drew in my head and was turning around

Down Riverside chimney, he came with a bound

He was dressed in all fur from his foot to his head

I though to myself “he’s gotta be hot, if that was me I’d be dead”

A bag was flung on his back full of toys

it was presents for the girls, this trip had nothing for any boys

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry

I hoped for just one present with a name on it for Larry

He had a broad face and a little round belly

He obviously found the dining hall and had some biscuits and jelly

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

I thought when I saw him I was looking at myself

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

was a notice to me, its time to go back to bed

He stopped by the infirmary to visit our nurses

and left something for them in each of their purses

Then laying a finger aside of his nose

he was finished with his work so up the chimney he arose

He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle

He took off really fast, like a Patriot missile

But I heard him exclaim as he flew above the pines

Merry Christmas to all, from Camp Skyline!!