First Call From Summer Camp: “Guess what?! …”

Blog post by Maine Camp Experience Guide, Laurie Kaiden. Hi Mom!!!  The excited little voice at the other end of the phone line was my daughter.  It’d been 12 days since we’d last spoken – obviously longer than ever before.  I didn’t know how the call was gonna go. Leading up to the call, I had been a little nervous thinking – Is she having fun?  Is she happy?  Phew.  She sounded good! The thing I liked best was that she began every sentence with, “Guess what?! …” – and then she told us about each new experience she had. … she went on a camping trip (the bathrooms were gross but the breakfast was good) … she went on a big roller coaster (not necessarily her first choice – a little scary, but really fun) … she really likes the girls in her bunk and her counselors (the new names came flying out fast) … they went to a candy store (got to eat a bit, and then had to throw it out – counselors did a “candy check” to make sure it was all gone) The call went quickly and we ran out of time – it felt like it was ending just as it started!!  I didn’t get to ask all my questions (How’s swimming in the lake? Are you making your bed each day?).  But she did mention that she saves all my letters, shared info about a few activities, and said that laundry day is everyone’s favorite. I asked what she wanted for Visiting Day - she told me to bring candy (funny how candy is becoming a pervasive theme), and shampoo and conditioner (not sure how she would need more considering we packed enough but – okay/whatever). It was great to connect and get a taste of camp in her words and through her eyes.  Looking forward to seeing her on Visiting Day!