Another fantastic day at Merri-Mac as session 1(A) comes closer to the end. This morning in Chapel, we had the opportunity to hear from Adam Kepke, our assistant director. He shared about when he first transferred to a new college, he had a friend named Davis who constantly invited him to do things. Davis started by inviting Adam to meet all the friends in their building to have great adventures outside of school. Davis was an “expert inviter,” Kepke said, just like Jesus, who invited disciples with radically different backgrounds to become a part of His inner circle. Jesus’s disciples didn’t know what it truly meant to follow Jesus, however, they did realize He lived a life of love that was different from theirs. At the end of the message, Kepeke encouraged the campers to follow Jesus and invite others to join them as well. 

Today, in activities after Chapel, several of the campers went to their multiple activities for the last time. Mountain biking climbed the steep hill to the Council Ring, where trip initiation takes place. Backpacking practiced using stoves and made hot chocolate after boiling water. Cooking backed M&M cookies with chocolate chips added. At lunch, the campers chowed down on Monte Carlo sandwiches with French fries. Campers also found out that the Red Wolves were the winners of last night’s game of Battle from Middle Earth, and the Golden Eagles won the award for most spirited. After lunch, campers were sent up to start packing for those leaving on Saturday. 

 Away from the typical camp day, cabins were able to take a cabin trip to a watering hole, on that trip were:

Hadley D.

Parker M.

Swayzee B.

Emilia R.

Paige C.

Libby S.

Eloise G. 

Lauren D.

Mary Shelton T.

Taylor Y.

Lillie Kate D.

Rachel G. 

Caroline G.

Marion S. 

Isabella B.

Ella B.

Annie D.

Haynes H.

Audrey K.

Mary Rhodes M.

Josephine O.

Eva P.

Caroline T.

As well as Stella C., Millie S., Reese P., Ella H., Eloise B., Shelby H. , Campbell H., Uma V., Lyla J., Sadie C. went on a climbing trip all day and barely made it back for dinner. Marlow Z., Marion S., Lilly N., Hannah H., Libby S. went kayaking in the Tuckaseegee. Campbell H., Samantha G., Daire K., Malloy H., Kahlan C., Sydney B., Anne Calvert W., Vail G.went on an all-day hiking trip to Upper Creek Falls.  Hannah H., Sydney B., Maxey S., Adele C., Elizabeth K., Chandler L. set out on their Solo 13s. In the afternoon, during the activities, it started storming, and several campers took refuge in The Mike. Counselor Mary Paige led them in learning the Church Clap. Before the rain let up, the children went to their last activities and chatted with their friends before the dinner bell rang. For tonight’s evening activity, it’s Division Night, where campers are divided by their camps: Senior Hill, Bear Camp, and Tweedles, with different activities for each age group. The Tweedles are partying hard with a dance party and slip-n-slide on Macky’s Green, while the Bear Campers are having a crazy carnival night by the teepee. Meanwhile, on the lake, campers from Senior Hill are at war on Lake Doris playing pirates, where they capsize each other’s canoes and kayaks of their opposing teams. To end the night on a high note, it has stopped storming, and the campers are in for another wonderful day tomorrow at Camp Merri-Mac. Thanks for reading!

This is McKenna N., counselor of lawn games and a loyal member of the Golden Eagle Tribe.