All of our First Session campers have now arrived safe and sound on Johns Island!
Another (very excited) contingent of travel staff left camp today to meet campers at the Anacortes marina.
It was a very busy day of travel. From Sea-Tac airport to North Seattle to Anacortes, campers gathered at three drop-off sites throughout the morning. At the sites, campers and their families checked in with our head counselors, met their unit leaders, and connected with their fellow campers. A fleet of three charter buses then drove campers and their accompanying travel staff to Skyline Marina in Anacortes, where everyone boarded the boats bound for Johns Island. Today’s smooth seas and blue skies punctuated with dramatic cloud formations made for a beautiful cruise through the San Juan Islands.
Campers gathered by unit and bonded with their unit leaders as they waited to board the boats at Anacortes.
At last, our campers arrived at the camp dock this afternoon. They disembarked to wild applause as our gathered staff cheered and waved in welcome. Every camper had the chance to run under the “welcome bridge” of upraised staff arms as smiles and greetings flew around them. A Nor’wester tradition, the welcome bridge encourages campers to make a quick dash under the bridge of staff arms, accompanied by the staff clapping and cheering them on. It’s a loud and joyful experience!
Campers were all smiles as they reunited with old friends – and met new ones.
Following this jubilant welcome, campers made their way to the Lodge, where they completed their lice screenings and health check-ins with our nursing staff. Then there was just enough time before dinner for campers to gather in their units, where they received their tipi assignments and continued getting to know their counselors and their unitmates.
Four charter boats ferried campers directly from the Anacortes marina to the camp dock on Johns Island.
Back at the Lodge, everyone gathered for a delicious meal. Units sat together, joking and laughing and helping each other learn the rules for “jumping” – that is, serving and clearing the table. After we enjoyed a chocolately dessert, our music staff led us in a spirited set of singing which included camp favorites “Acres of Clams” and “Piney Wood Hills.”
Running under the welcome bridge is the moment when camp really begins!
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, we left the Lodge and campers reconvened to walk back to their units together. They’ll spend the rest of the evening receiving their trunks from our luggage crew and settling into their tipis. This has been a big day for our campers, and they’ll be heading to bed early tonight. We’re already anticipating all the fun that’s in store tomorrow, which will be a busy day of program orientations and the opening campfire. It’s going to be a fantastic camp session, and we’re so excited to have our First Session campers here with us at last!