Day 1: Welcome to Camp!
The air was warm as the buses arrived in our new campsite in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Campers bounded off the bus to congregate in front of the dining hall to hear cabin announcements from our Concert Choir, Ensemble, Ecco, and Joyful Voices counselors. The counselors had a fun time brainstorming new cabin names: Ensemble and CC cabin names include Flora, Butterfly, Celeste, and Mykonos. Once the campers got settled in their rooms, we enjoyed a delicious lunch of fried chicken, potatoes, and salad.
After lunch, the staff led the campers in a brief theory/musicianship exercise. The afternoon was a flurry of medical checks, voice meetings with the conductors, and swim tests. Counselor Owen and his campers Cassidy, Henry, and Aiden enjoyed a spirited game of badminton. Cabin Galaxy Guys and their counselor Beck were eager to have some afternoon free time once they finished their duties. Counselor Ryan’s Cabin Oceania played “umbrella island” while waiting in line for voice checks. In counselor Mia’s Cabin Celeste, campers Mei and Eliana overcame their nervousness for their voice check with Ensemble conductor Eric.
At 5pm, we all gathered in the redwood amphitheater for our daily evening recital. Performers included counselors Kay and Rachel and conductor Eric. Voice teacher Dana and conductor Liz sang a German duet composed by Johannes Brahms. Dinner was pizza, short ribs, stir-fry veggies, and watermelon. Singers dispersed for rehearsals while the counselors prepared for our nighttime activity. In place of our usual campfire was a cairn, a Scottish Gaelic word used to describe stones stacked with intention. Campers and counselors were asked to find a small stone to add to the cairn, along with dedications, kind words, or wishes for this year’s camp.
The campers were ushered back to their rooms with gentle reminders of an early lights-out time. CC and Ensemble counselors serenaded the kids from the atrium with “Circle Game” and “the Waltz,” an old camp favorite. Our first day was a success, and we’re looking forward to our first camp morning!