We are HUGE fans of summer camp. Jessica grew up attending Awanita, whereas I went to Laurel Ridge. Both through week long camps, as well as many weekends of youth group retreats - camp taught me to love the mountains, make new friends, and learn so many new things.
So it was always a no brainier that Jessica and I would send our children to camp in the summer.
Luckily, Montreat is just 25 minutes down the road, and some of our friends introduced us to Montreat Clubs a few years ago. Clubs is a week long day camp for kids of all ages. Though it is primarily designed for families who are staying in Montreat for a youth conference, it works for us as well - because we are locals.
Luckily, Montreat is just 25 minutes down the road, and some of our friends introduced us to Montreat Clubs a few years ago. Clubs is a week long day camp for kids of all ages. Though it is primarily designed for families who are staying in Montreat for a youth conference, it works for us as well - because we are locals.
This summer marked the first year that both of the boys attended Clubs, and they each had a magical week.
I am so grateful that our family gets to spend our summer together. We travel, camp out, hike, swim, and play together for two straight months. But it is equally important that we each have our own space and time to follow our muse.
Sending the kids to Montreat accomplishes that for all four of us, as Jessica and I get time alone ( taking longer hikes, record shopping, running errands, and checking out a new brewery or two) - and the boys become part of something bigger.
Each day, they couldn't wait to compare notes on the new songs they learned (especially the corresponding hand motions to Wavin' Flag - easily their favorite, and a song I have now heard over 7 million times in the last week), the boats they rode, or which snake they held. They described new games to us, and told us about their new friends and counselors. Noah had his first lock-in, and stayed up until 2am (he still hasn't recovered).
And they learned to enjoy more independence, After the first morning, Avery asked is he could "walk into Clubs by myself?" Noah wanted to stay with his buddies before and after the lockin - and told us to go ahead and leave. And though it is still hard for me to watch them need me less - it is exhilarating to see them reaching for more.
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