I'm pretty sure Brianna started talking about going to camp this year before her session even ended last year. I totally get this because I loved camp as a kid, too! Since last year was her first time going away to camp, she didn't know what to expect or how much she'd love it. This year, however, she started talking to me back in February about clothes she'd need for camp, notebooks she could use at camp, the bible she was taking to camp, etc, etc, etc.
Then, COVID hit, and we truly had no idea if camp would be possible this year. Many camps were changing their policies or not opening for the summer at all. We waited and waited to see what Little Blue would do, and Bri was pretty much on pins and needles about it the whole time.
There were a lot of logistics to be worked out to make sure camp was compliant with federal, state, and county laws regarding mask mandates, social distancing, and even food service. Finally, toward the end of June, we got word that camp was a GO!
The session we signed Bri up to attend began on Sunday, July 12th. We left immediately after church services to make the four hour drive to Little Blue. Last year, we were able to stay on the grounds, help Bri move in, eat dinner with the campers, and even participate in chapel. Sadly, this year we were only permitted to drop her off and leave :-(. I hated that I couldn't even help her move in!
The Cabin 4 girls
It made me feel SO much better about the situation knowing that Russ, Lisa, and Chloe were all there too. In addition to them, a whole group from a nearby town was also there, including Kristin who was Bri's counselor. I knew camp would be a little different this year, and I took comfort in the fact that she was surrounded by people I know and trust.
Ashlyn, Sadie, Brianna, and Chloe . . . the Oklahoma girls!
This photo is all people who came from Oklahoma!
Lisa, Chloe, Sadie, Ashlyn, Bri, and Kristen
I'm not really sure what's going on in this pic? Notice Bri is wearing her swim goggles :-)!
Lisa sent me a text after the first day to let me know that Bri was doing great, even though she had her face mask wrapped around her hair instead of on her face :-).
The second day, Lisa texted me to let me know that Bri was still having a great time. She had gone swimming that day with her socks on . . . on purpose! Bri is my spunky girl, and I love that she is still her confident little self even when she's away from home. As a side note - I asked her later about swimming in her socks, and she said that the pool scratched her feet up. Seems legit to me!
The third day of camp, I received a phone call from one of the camp board members informing me that several of the kids were being sent home because their dad possibly had COVID. We were given the option to come retrieve our child or let them stay at camp. Chris and I decided we would let Bri stay because at that point she had already been around the kids who were potentially exposed by their potentially exposed Dad. I know the board was following protocol, but it really didn't make sense to me.
Bri and her group after giving a bible presentation in front of all the girls
I received all of the photos from Kristin, and I'm so grateful! Six days of camp seems like a long time when your child is so far away.
The session director, JJ, was also really good about updating the FB page with how things were going. I had thanked him for the updates one day, and this was his reply to me. Then, Kristin also added a comment, and I just loved reading that Bri was thriving!
The next day, another one of the camp counselors sent me this comment about Bri:
Knowing Brianna was letting her light shine and comfortable being herself warmed my Momma heart.
Last year, Chris and I drove up to the KC area, spent the evening at camp on Thursday, spent the night in the area, then went back on Friday to spend some time and pick Bri up. Since no visitors were allowed this year, there was really no point in us driving all the way there to pick her up. Instead, we asked Russ and Lisa to bring her home with them. When Lisa texted me that they'd be arriving at their house soon, I rushed over there and beat them by a solid 30 minutes. I guess I was a little anxious to see my girl! Bri and I got back home to our house at about 8:30pm on Friday, and her siblings were SO happy to see her!
Bren gave her a big hug, then he made her an ice water to drink. Can you tell his love language is acts of service?!? The little girls wanted to stay up and hear allllll about camp right then, but Bri was WORN OUT. I also remember very vividly what that camp tired felt like!
We are so grateful she was able to go and have a wonderful experience and week of growth. And guess what? She's already talking about next year!
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