I have been waiting to take Jackson to YMCA Camp Greenville since the day he was born... I have been so excited to introduce him to one of my favorite places on earth. Finally the day came as we packed up and headed to our first Mom & Me session, a chance to introduce him to camp without having to leave him there by himself. Even better, I got to go back as a camper and do all of the fun things camp has to offer!.JPG)
To make this story even better, Jackson wrote in his journal at the end of the school year: "This summer I want to... go to Camp Greenville, go to the beach, and that's all." The person in that picture is Greg McKee, a Camp executive who has been a friend of mine for over 23 years. He came to visit for a camp viewing in January, and Jackson did not forget that he would be at camp, singing The Cat Came Back. Every time Jackson saw Greg at camp, he ran up and gave him a huge hug... I think Greg loved it.
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Aileen and Spencer picked us up early on Saturday morning. We headed up a day early to spend the night with Spencer's grandparents in Saluda to have a little extra QT and to avoid an especially early morning on Sunday (camp is about four hours from Charleston). We picked up Sue and Whitfield before we left town, and we were quickly on our way with a van packed full of camping supplies and campers.
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We got to Saluda with plenty of time to explore. The boys loved the train tracks, although unfortunately, there are no more trains running on this track.
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There was a heat wave in the mountains the week we were there, so Miss Sue treated us all to an ice cream cone... the boys loved chatting with the owner.
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After a super-yummy BBQ dinner, playing at Spencer's grandparent's house, and quick showers, Aileen did a fabulous reading of Green Eggs and Ham before bed. All three boys were exhausted and quickly fell asleep.
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The next morning, all three campers jumped excitedly into the van, ready to see what camp was all about.
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Before checking in, we spent a little time at "Pretty Place" (also called Symmes Chapel). This is really one of the most beautiful places in the world. Pictures don't do it justice, really. I have seen many sunrises here (the best I have ever seen), and I have watched the stars and the lights of Greenville and Spartanburg down below on many evenings, and every time I walk into the chapel, I get goosebumps and a little teary. Being there after having been gone for over ten years was overwhelming... memories of camp friends, devotions with campers, and rousing renditions of "King Jesus is All" at chapel services filled my mind and heart. I can't tell you how excited I was to share it with Jackson.
I think all three boys were overwhelmed by the view, too, as they stood at the edge and stared out at the mountains for a long time.
We headed back to camp after Pretty Place to check in. After we were all settled, we played a (hot) game of "Camper, Camper, Councelor" (aka Duck, Duck, Goose). The kids were full of energy and had a blast watching their moms run around the circle!
My little camper at his bunk.
Jackson & me, Whitfield & Sue, and Aileen & Spencer on our first morning at camp.
This is "Tiny", one of our councelors. Tiny, huh? The staff at camp was incredible. Absolutely incredible. They were so excited to be at camp, and it radiated from them. The councelors that we had were so sweet and patient with our little ones. From the barn staff to the program director to the cabin staff, our kids felt special, and the moms felt like our children were in fabulous hands. Aileen even said that she would feel good about sending Spencer there by himself at a younger age because the staff was so great.
We had lunch, a swim check, and the first of our three "rotations" on Sunday afternoon. The three rotations were canoeing, archery, and horseback riding. In between rotations, there were other options of activities, such as arts & crafts, boudlering, and hikes. On Sunday afternoon, we chose canoeing. Unfortunately, Jackson wasn't too into canoeing (he does it often at home)... I think it was the only thing at camp that he didn't enjoy!
After dinner, there was an opening campfire. We sang lots of camp songs (Old Lady Leary, Be a Great Boy, The Cat Came Back) and watched camp skits. All three were mesmerized by the fire, the environment, and the camp spirit. I loved watching them watch what was all around.
The following morning, Jackson and I got up and did the Polar Bear swim, a quick dip in the lake early in the morning, before breakfast (at least I used to think it was early when I was the waterfront director 12 years ago... 7:30am is almost late to me now!!). After breakfast, we headed to "Hill Skills" for some candle-making...
and some tye-dying. Jackosn loves his Clemson-colored shirt!
Hill Skills was definitely his favorite stop. We visited two more times to make journals, door hangers, and a big painting of cars. We went there as often as he could get there!
Our other morning activity was our hike to Shower Bath Falls. It is a quick and easy hike down to a waterfall that used to serve as the shower for the boys before there was running water at the camp.
The boy loved it. Had I thought to put him in his bathing suit before we went, he would have been in the middle of it.
We did climb up and got fairly close to being behind the falls, but we didn't venture closer.
After all of that morning activity, rest hour was greatly apprecitated!!
That afternoon, we had our second rotation, horseback riding. While half the group rode horses, the other half got to paint some "paint" horses. It was really the coolest thing... we used horse soap and tempure paints to fingerpaint on the horse's body!
Sue and Whitfield shared a horse with us, and we were sure to fill him up!
Jackson was proud of our artwork!
This is my boy on a horse. By himself. He has never ridden before, always turning down opportunities at the Farmer's Market or birthday parties. However, he jumped right on and had full control... no one even leading him around the ring! He was cool as a cucumber up there. The reigns, though, were really short... too short for him to reach well, and the way he was holding them was leading the horse to walk in circles. Sue jumped in to help while I rode, and when I got down, I lead him around the ring.
Our final rotation was archery.
It was not the easiest activity for Jackson, but he enjoyed trying all the same.
Our last night there, we had playtime, a campfire with smores, and a sing along at the lodge. I think the smores were a highlight of the trip for all of our campers!
Our last morning at camp was a great one, as it was swim time! Jackson had been looking forward to the slide ever since the swim checks, and when he got his chance, he jumped on.
We spent the entire swim on the slide!!
It was Whitfield's 5th birthday while we were there, and the staff treated him so well! There was a sign hanging for him at Parade Ground in the morning, the entire camp sang to him, our table in the dining hall was decorated with balloons, and he got this cute birthday cake. I'm not sure there is a better way for a 5 year old to spend his birthday! 
More importantly, I got to spend some incredible time with Jackson. I loved seeing camp through his eyes, and I loved not having to share my time with anyone but him. We were able to relax and not worry about anything other than having fun. The time with him was priceless, a rare opportunity to dote on him alone, to see him try new things and to grow, and we both loved it. It was sad to have to leave, as I think we both could have used another couple of days, but I will treasure immensely the time we were there.
To make this story even better, Jackson wrote in his journal at the end of the school year: "This summer I want to... go to Camp Greenville, go to the beach, and that's all." The person in that picture is Greg McKee, a Camp executive who has been a friend of mine for over 23 years. He came to visit for a camp viewing in January, and Jackson did not forget that he would be at camp, singing The Cat Came Back. Every time Jackson saw Greg at camp, he ran up and gave him a huge hug... I think Greg loved it..JPG)
Aileen and Spencer picked us up early on Saturday morning. We headed up a day early to spend the night with Spencer's grandparents in Saluda to have a little extra QT and to avoid an especially early morning on Sunday (camp is about four hours from Charleston). We picked up Sue and Whitfield before we left town, and we were quickly on our way with a van packed full of camping supplies and campers..JPG)
We got to Saluda with plenty of time to explore. The boys loved the train tracks, although unfortunately, there are no more trains running on this track..JPG)
There was a heat wave in the mountains the week we were there, so Miss Sue treated us all to an ice cream cone... the boys loved chatting with the owner..JPG)
After a super-yummy BBQ dinner, playing at Spencer's grandparent's house, and quick showers, Aileen did a fabulous reading of Green Eggs and Ham before bed. All three boys were exhausted and quickly fell asleep..JPG)
The next morning, all three campers jumped excitedly into the van, ready to see what camp was all about..JPG)
Before checking in, we spent a little time at "Pretty Place" (also called Symmes Chapel). This is really one of the most beautiful places in the world. Pictures don't do it justice, really. I have seen many sunrises here (the best I have ever seen), and I have watched the stars and the lights of Greenville and Spartanburg down below on many evenings, and every time I walk into the chapel, I get goosebumps and a little teary. Being there after having been gone for over ten years was overwhelming... memories of camp friends, devotions with campers, and rousing renditions of "King Jesus is All" at chapel services filled my mind and heart. I can't tell you how excited I was to share it with Jackson.
I think all three boys were overwhelmed by the view, too, as they stood at the edge and stared out at the mountains for a long time.
We headed back to camp after Pretty Place to check in. After we were all settled, we played a (hot) game of "Camper, Camper, Councelor" (aka Duck, Duck, Goose). The kids were full of energy and had a blast watching their moms run around the circle!
My little camper at his bunk.
Jackson & me, Whitfield & Sue, and Aileen & Spencer on our first morning at camp.
This is "Tiny", one of our councelors. Tiny, huh? The staff at camp was incredible. Absolutely incredible. They were so excited to be at camp, and it radiated from them. The councelors that we had were so sweet and patient with our little ones. From the barn staff to the program director to the cabin staff, our kids felt special, and the moms felt like our children were in fabulous hands. Aileen even said that she would feel good about sending Spencer there by himself at a younger age because the staff was so great.We had lunch, a swim check, and the first of our three "rotations" on Sunday afternoon. The three rotations were canoeing, archery, and horseback riding. In between rotations, there were other options of activities, such as arts & crafts, boudlering, and hikes. On Sunday afternoon, we chose canoeing. Unfortunately, Jackson wasn't too into canoeing (he does it often at home)... I think it was the only thing at camp that he didn't enjoy!
After dinner, there was an opening campfire. We sang lots of camp songs (Old Lady Leary, Be a Great Boy, The Cat Came Back) and watched camp skits. All three were mesmerized by the fire, the environment, and the camp spirit. I loved watching them watch what was all around.
The following morning, Jackson and I got up and did the Polar Bear swim, a quick dip in the lake early in the morning, before breakfast (at least I used to think it was early when I was the waterfront director 12 years ago... 7:30am is almost late to me now!!). After breakfast, we headed to "Hill Skills" for some candle-making...and some tye-dying. Jackosn loves his Clemson-colored shirt!
Hill Skills was definitely his favorite stop. We visited two more times to make journals, door hangers, and a big painting of cars. We went there as often as he could get there!
Our other morning activity was our hike to Shower Bath Falls. It is a quick and easy hike down to a waterfall that used to serve as the shower for the boys before there was running water at the camp.
The boy loved it. Had I thought to put him in his bathing suit before we went, he would have been in the middle of it.
We did climb up and got fairly close to being behind the falls, but we didn't venture closer.
After all of that morning activity, rest hour was greatly apprecitated!!
That afternoon, we had our second rotation, horseback riding. While half the group rode horses, the other half got to paint some "paint" horses. It was really the coolest thing... we used horse soap and tempure paints to fingerpaint on the horse's body!
Sue and Whitfield shared a horse with us, and we were sure to fill him up!
Jackson was proud of our artwork!
This is my boy on a horse. By himself. He has never ridden before, always turning down opportunities at the Farmer's Market or birthday parties. However, he jumped right on and had full control... no one even leading him around the ring! He was cool as a cucumber up there. The reigns, though, were really short... too short for him to reach well, and the way he was holding them was leading the horse to walk in circles. Sue jumped in to help while I rode, and when I got down, I lead him around the ring.
Our final rotation was archery. It was not the easiest activity for Jackson, but he enjoyed trying all the same.
Our last night there, we had playtime, a campfire with smores, and a sing along at the lodge. I think the smores were a highlight of the trip for all of our campers!
Our last morning at camp was a great one, as it was swim time! Jackson had been looking forward to the slide ever since the swim checks, and when he got his chance, he jumped on.
We spent the entire swim on the slide!!
It was Whitfield's 5th birthday while we were there, and the staff treated him so well! There was a sign hanging for him at Parade Ground in the morning, the entire camp sang to him, our table in the dining hall was decorated with balloons, and he got this cute birthday cake. I'm not sure there is a better way for a 5 year old to spend his birthday! We made these signs for a short video segment for the local news channel. Not sure it got used, but it was such a cute idea!
Unfortunately, our time at camp camp to and end entirely too soon. Jackson and I had a great time with our cabin mates... I am so glad to have shared this special place with them.
Unfortunately, our time at camp camp to and end entirely too soon. Jackson and I had a great time with our cabin mates... I am so glad to have shared this special place with them. 
More importantly, I got to spend some incredible time with Jackson. I loved seeing camp through his eyes, and I loved not having to share my time with anyone but him. We were able to relax and not worry about anything other than having fun. The time with him was priceless, a rare opportunity to dote on him alone, to see him try new things and to grow, and we both loved it. It was sad to have to leave, as I think we both could have used another couple of days, but I will treasure immensely the time we were there.Be a Great Boy,
Be a Great Girl.
To be a child of the Lord
Is the greatest thing in the world!
3 comments:
I am so glad you and Jackson both had such a great time! We look forward to being able to go next summer :)
Camp sounds incredible! I cannot wait until Fordham is old enough to go. I absolutely ADORE Pretty Place. We spent many a time there when I was at Furman.
That looks like so much fun! It makes me long for my summer days spent at camp too. I am so glad that you shared this on your blog... I want to sign up the boys when they're old enough! How fun!!
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