Day 1 - Tops’l overnight camp

Day one-

Campers arrived in the morning and the excitement was palpable. After getting settled in, we gathered to play a fun “get to know you game” with some yummy M&Ms. Then we made craft boards with colorful tissue paper and modge podge. We had a selection of fruit for snack and afterwards went over some rules for our time together. We then went for a brief walk around the campground to get to know the space we would be sharing for the next few days. It is BEAUTIFUL.

Lunch consisted of overstuffed baked potatoes with an assortment of toppings. After lunch, campers had some quiet time to get comfortable in their cabins and refresh before the afternoon activities.

With revitalized energy, we gathered for our afternoon craft. Each camper tie dyed a Camp Chloë hoodie and T-shirt. We then filled water bottles, put sunscreen and sneakers on, and headed out on a walk to explore the larger property of Tops’l Farm. We walked the trails through the woods and saw goats and a gigantic eagle nest. We considered leaving a camper there to sleep in the nest for the night, but eventually concluded the cabin beds are a bit more comfy. At the edge of Tops’l Farm, along the river, is a precious yurt and fire pit with large wooden seats. We paused here to have a snack and then headed back to our campground.

The late afternoon consisted of an hour of free time where campers could shower, play games, relax, and do any activities they wanted in and around their cabins. They seemed to really love this pause in the schedule to catch up on unfinished crafts and simply hang out with new and old friends. Once the hour was up, we went to the most dreamy dinner at the Barn - picture rose petals in ice water, garlic scape center pieces, and candlelit smiles. We had ziti with garlic bread and blueberry pie!

Back at the campground, we made a fire and had a first day of summer and camp celebration. We talked about our highlights of the day and what we are looking forward to for the upcoming week. We also gave campers the opportunity to give shoutouts to each other for something they did during the day - a kind word, helpful hand, inclusive action, etc.

The campers then had the option of playing a few rounds of their new favorite card game, spending a little more time socializing around the fire, or having an early start to getting ready for bed. The quiet/shyness from the morning had almost completely disappeared by this point in the evening.

As the sun set, we all transition to getting ready for bed. We made sure each cabin was set up with, and knew how to use, a walkie talkie to be able to reach the counselor(s) on duty. Counselors reminded each camper to do another final bedtime tick check and bathroom visit, and then wished each camper sweet dreams. We had such a wonderful first day and cannot wait for all that is ahead!