Camp week

For many years now, Regan has embarked on a week of camp songs, s'mores, lake swimming and making new friendships (ok, by now she is also enjoying the old friendships too!). This year, she convinced Sidney to join her and let's just say, those two had more fun in that 1 week doing all things camp related. This isn't a "sports practice" type camp. Nope, this is the true deal. 

They even spend a hot summer night in a tent!! 

Although apprehensive at first, knowing not one other kid who was going to camp, Sidney cannot wait to return! I am so proud of her (and thankful for Regan's brave lead) as she took the leap and signed up for the full camp experience. She made some great friends and had the time of her life. 

So proud of our girls, and secretly super happy that they get their "sleeping in a tent" fix so that I don't have to climb into one for a restless night! 

Camp Kota 2016

Camp Kota is something Regan looks forward to all year long. That girl, she is a camper at heart. All of those annoying chants, the bonding friendships and the actual camping! She loves every second of it. Even the bugs and the sleepover on the hottest of hot days.

Camp Kota is primarily a day camp but the final day is the sleep over. Sleeping in a real tent. And it just so happened to be 97 degrees with tropical dew points.  No joke. But these kiddos didn't mind a bit! The 5 of us managed to keep smiles on our face throughout the parent program despite that heat. While we eagerly said our goodbyes to hurry and find some air conditioning, these cuties grabbed their bug spray and went to have some more outdoor fun!

While this year Regan didn't make as many new friendships during camp, she deepened a bond with some existing friends and that makes me just as happy. These 6 (and a few others!) were able to spend the entire week together hiking, swimming, fishing and exploring. And then somehow, they squished inside that 6 person tent and managed to get just a few zzzz's before the morning sun woke them so early!

Here's to another awesome year of camp!

Camp

Regan spent a week of her summer at a local camp this year. It was her first true camp experience (not a gymnastics camp, etc), but real camp. To say she loved it, well that's an understatement. The week consisted of canoeing, hiking, new friends, camp songs and loads of lake swimming. It was a 4 day day-time program, and the week rounded out with an overnighter in a tent. 

A tent! (more on that later). 

Before the week's end, all of the parents/siblings were invited to a parent-program and picnic. 

So we loaded up the kiddos, grabbed Subway (along with the vast majority of the other families) and headed to camp. Lincoln tried finding his own fun during the hour long program by hopping on his wee sister like she was a pony. 

Each small group took a turn or two in front of the parents and lead some chants, did some skits or sang us songs. All of those strange words that Regan had been saying all week long each night were finally making more sense. 

And the "Calamine, Calamine, Calamine lotion" song....

yeah it just keeps going and going in my mind :( 

Eventually, it was time for us parents/siblings to head home, so the campers could have some fun, gather 'round the campfire (sing more silly songs) and sleep amongst the stars. 

Regan was over-the-moon excited about this night! 

I was a wreck...."would she be safe?", "what if she went for a sleep walk" (she's been known to descend her top bunk at home and wander downstairs---sleeping), and Ryan's favorite worry "what if someone steals her?". 

Alright, so I know, a bit ridiculous! I felt a whole lot better after getting to know some of the counselors and hearing from more experienced parents that the counselors actually stay awake all night long keeping watch. 

(lucky them)

And so she staked out her spot in the tent of 3 classmates from school and rolled out her sleeping bag. 

She was so ready for her tent experience. 

I was pretty sure these giggly girls were going to need a lot of direction to calm themselves down before bedtime. And I for one, was happy not to have that job! 

Turns out they slept somewhere between 6-7 hours, not bad for a night out in the tent. Most of all, they made memories and had a wonderful experience. Regan says that next year she wants to go to a week-long camp away from home. I think she's ready....I hope that I am! 

Yea for great camp experiences!