Keeping in touch during camp

Since the time I was a camper (back before the earth cooled) things sure have changed for the many ways families can keep in touch with their campers. But one thing surely hasn’t changed, and that thing is how much campers love getting mail!

The big standards way back when were letters, post cards, and the rare care package.

These methods of communication are tried and true:

Letters and cards—Keep ’em coming! Cute cards with drawings of a favorite animal or drawing are great, and (especially for the novice readers) don’t require too much effort to read. Likewise, it’s nice to keep it light, telling a joke, a riddle, a short poem, enclosing a snapshot or younger sibling’s drawing. Be sure to include for a new camper encouraging phrases such as, “we can’t wait to see all your new swim skills” or “wouldn’t surprise me if you can run faster than I can now” or “I bet you’ve got some great stories to tell” but NOT “gee, we miss you” or “can’t wait for you to get home”.

Postcards—Also lots of fun to receive, never too long!

Packages—It used to be so rare and wonderful, but in today’s world the number of packages sent to camp has mushroomed–probably due in no small part to gift package services and the ease of using internet shopping services to make a purchase and have it sent elsewhere. As fun as packages are to receive, campers can get overwhelmed if they receive too many, because they have little time to enjoy and such limited space to stow everything. Please restrict yourself to no more than one package a week (if that many). And remember, campers are not allowed to receive food, candy or gum. We inspect packages, including envelopes that are thick and/or larger than letter size. “Contraband” will not be stored here (it draws vermin), so it is donated to a local shelter or discarded.

A final word about packages, we are now offering gift packages for sale. You can check out your options through our online Trading Post, or give a shout to Karen or Monique. No food or candy there, we promise!

Now there is so much more; even the Big Three of yore have evolved!

Add emails to the mix— Through CampInTouch, families can purchase “CampStamps” for sending emails—one way, or both. We print emails in black and white, and distribute them with the day’s mail. If you choose two-way email, the camper receives a second printed page with a large, blank rectangle and a bar code. She writes a response to you inside that box, and when we fax it, the bar code directs it to your email inbox. And fear not–if she never writes back, you won’t be charged.

And not all communication is one way anymore! In addition to two-way emails, families and designated friends have other options for keeping up with what’s going on here on a daily basis. In the words of a Wall Street Journal reporter, the family back home can now “peek under the tent” and get a pretty good look at camp life.

Throughout the camper’s term, families and their designated guests can log on through CampInTouch and see:

• Photos of that day’s activities
• A word from a key staff member on some fun or important aspect of camp
• Spotlight on a counselor or staff member
• A brief update of news from me to hit the highlights of the day
• Today’s menus
• Calendar of the term’s activities
• The Thought O’ the Day
• Weather in Hunt, Texas
• Link to the Heart O’ the Matter daily newscast as produced by the video class

(If families have a particular friend or relative that they want to share the camp experience with, that person can be set up with a guest account, and their own personal password.)

Photos are taken throughout the day—every day! We edit to remove duplicates, and post the best ones of everybody. You can purchase a high-resolution print, make yourself an online album, or share the photo through Facebook or email.

Something new! Postcards via your smartphone. Your pet doing something silly? Your camper’s new bedding arrived? We’ve discovered a nifty way to keep your camper in the loop: with custom postcards created by you. Simply upload your photo, write a brief message, and Postagram will send it their way. And the best part? Your camper can punch out the pictures and hang them bedside. Cost is 99 cents per postagram, and the “Postagramapp” is available in iTunes or Google Play for Android.

What was it I was saying about writing too much? Oops, I did it again. ❤ Jane—

New year, new Program Director!

Laura Gallagher has been named our new program director, and she wanted to introduce herself. Here are her words. Jane–

Hello from Scotland and a huge Happy New Year to y’all!

As your new Program Director (ahh!), I wanted to take this opportunity to send out a wee message to express my joy and thanks to everyone for the kind and loving words I have received since news broke, I am so incredibly overwhelmed by the response! I also want to let y’all know a bit more about me! First and foremost, yes, I do use the word “y’all” a LOT. It’s a term I picked up probably on my first day in Texas and even though folks back home may laugh I have said it proudly ever since.

I was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, a place where we say ‘girls’ funny and a beautiful city where I am lucky to call home. As Jane has previously said, I had a normal upbringing, with my immediate family consisting of my mum, Stephanie, my dad, Jim, and my older brother, Stephen. However, since my mum is one of eight and my dad, one of four, my extended family is huge which I absolutely love. Some of y’all may even know my twin cousins Emma and Rachael Moran, who were counselors and waterfront staff back in 2012. I will be forever grateful to them for introducing me to such a wonderful place!

Throughout my childhood my family vacationed all over the UK in a caravan (*insert American term here*) which first contributed to my love of the outdoors and exploring. Alas the UK does not have optimal conditions for summer camps so I just had to wait a few more years to experience that! I have always known I wanted to see more of the world, my late grandfather absolutely adored Texas and was so excited when he heard of my first two years working here; he would often say “Laura, you could most definitely live in beautiful, beautiful Texas”, how lucky I am to be doing so in the very near future!

I have one semester left at university where I major in Business and Management before I fly out to really begin this life changing experience. When I was in my sophomore year I decided to apply for Camp America, I had heard such wonderful things from friends and the twins that I just had to experience the American summer camp for myself! After applying, both Emma and Rachael urged me to look at the HOH website and go there; the rest shall we say is history! My first summer at HOH was more than I could have ever dreamed of, the place itself is so beautiful and by adding all you incredible campers, staff and families just make it an entirely magical place! Within a month of arriving home I knew I had to return and so I re-applied, this time hoping to be a sponsor as well. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined achieving that position for not just one, but TWO terms! It made my second summer all the more outstanding and I enjoyed every single moment of my time with the tribe, however now I promise it’s Shapawnees all the way.

My second summer at Heart O’ the Hills was not without some difficulty however, as I received news from home that my dear grandfather passed away as we were approaching the end of first term. Nonetheless, with the love and support I received from all those around me I continued my time through second term, allowing that camp spirit and magic to heal me, all the while feeling love from my papa and family back home from those beautiful Texan stars. Upon returning home a second time from camp, it was confirmed I would return as I signed a contract before leaving, can you tell I just can’t get enough of the place yet?

At the risk of sounding too cheesy (but then again that’s me all over) I have without a doubt found a piece of my own heart at Heart O’ the Hills, a part that I didn’t even know was missing. Heart O’ the Hills has helped me, Heart O’ the Hills has healed me and Heart O’ the Hills has 100% changed my life.  I am so incredibly excited and honored to take on the position of Program Director and I cannot wait to help make your campers’ summer experience the most amazing one ever. Thank y’all again so much for all the kind messages, if you have any questions or simply want to chat, my camp email is laura@hohcamp.com so please feel free to get in touch!

I hope y’all have had a fun-filled festive season and I wish you all the happiness in the world for 2016!

❤ Laura

Christmas at camp

Christmas celebrations are way too much fun to limit them just to December—so at The Heart, we have Christmas on June 25 and July 25, too.

The observations vary some from year to year, but we always have a lunch of turkey and dressing, gravy and rolls, sweet potatoes and English peas. We do our best to belt out a number of Christmas songs in the Dining Hall, (mumbling through the parts where nobody can remember the words). The Dining Hall is strewn with green and red crepe paper and cut-outs of snow flakes, candies, lights, and everyone dresses in red and green, some with Santa hats or elf shoes, or even those adorable Christmas sweaters (good thing we have air conditioning)!

Often, on the night before, campers are instructed to set their boots or shoes outside the door, and Kris Kringle and his helpers come around after everyone has fallen asleep to leave little toys and candies in them. This is a European custom that was shared with us many summers ago by a staff member from Germany.

Many families send gifts to their campers, so our mailboxes overflow! The challenge with gifts sent to camp is storing them in the tepee afterward. Another is the additional expense borne by some families.

At the risk of sounding Grinchy, I love small and simple camp gifts: the kind that are handmade and thoughtful, at least among camp friends. A favorite quote written on a bookmark and decorated with a little drawing. A smooth stone with the names of the friends on it. Flowers pressed. A friendship bracelet.

People back home can send books or comic books, stationery, markers, stickers, temporary tattoos or flash tattoos, hair bows, or small stuffed animals (frogs for Shawnees or gators for Pawnees, perhaps).

In the meanwhile, all of us here at “The Heart” send greetings for a wonderful Christmas season to all our friends on the real occasion!

Big Things In the Trading Post!

Often we get asked, “What do you do in the off-season?”. While the list is pretty long, one of the bigger tasks is ordering new items for the Trading Post.

As most of you saw this summer, the new Trading Post has more room than ever and we are looking to fill those spaces. We have started working with our many vendors and we are picking out a number of new items for the summer. Items like new sweatshirts, t-shirts, and bags will be available beginning in March.

Speaking of new items, have you checked out our online store recently? We have added a number of newly released Avery charms and Christmas charms from Jim Morris Designer, as well as adult long-sleeve versions of our most popular shirts of the summer! Be sure to get yours now, before it is too late!

Another exciting item to look forward to is that this year we will begin offering gift bags for sale with goodies from the Trading Post that are not for sale otherwise. Exclusive tribe spirit items, spa items, jewelry, and games can fill the gift bag and it will be delivered to your camper on your chosen day during her stay at The Heart. Be sure to check out our online camp store closer to camp for more details.

We need your help here! We want to know how you wear your Heart clothing outside of the camp season! Send us pictures of you wearing our camp gear, and who knows, you might end up on our Trading Post Site.

Native American traditions

When Heart O’ the Hills Camp was just a concept, Director Kitty Magee gathered her most camp-experienced friends, notably Diane Martin Baker and Mary Butterworth, to establish all of our beloved traditions. They settled on a Native American theme, and named the Pawnee and Shawnee Tribes after tribes that had at one time or another passed through these hills. The Lodge, Indian Dwellings, Abrigo and Adobe Village all got their names because of this theme.

As a college student, I had the opportunity to take an interesting course on Native American studies. In my reading, I came across the concept of “orenda” and was immediately captivated (Kitty, Di and Butter were so smart! How did they know these things?). Orenda comes from the Iroquois and is not a notion that can be easily summarized, but my own brief interpretation at the time was “healing spirit”. Perfect name for our wellness center!

Since that time, I have come across another interesting practice that we at Heart O’ the Hills borrow from Native Americans. I read that it was customary for the squaws to gather their daughters on the highest hilltops, where they would sit and talk about important things. We call that “tribe hill”! “The Heart’s” tradition was longstanding before I read that it was a real thing, and I was delighted.

There was also a blip in a book* I read by pair of brothers who had been kidnapped by Apaches and Comanches in the Hill Country. Among other things, their story describes in detail how Indians celebrated after an important occasion by singing, dancing, yelling, and beating on drums. Sounds to me a lot like our pep rallies and the Front Lawn ceremony after Tribe Hills.

One more discussion I paid close attention to at the national convention of American Camp Association. As most people know, Indians deserving merit earned feathers for trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and more qualities. It would be disrespectful to hide the feather; by wearing it in their headbands, they would be reminded of how to behave. A young brave with only one or two feathers wore theirs hanging down from the headband. But a warrior whose headband was abundantly filled with feathers—such as our Chieftains’ headdresses—would sometimes opt to wear one or two feathers pointing upward as a symbol of distinction. Sometimes feathers were attached to a pole to carry if the headdress filled up. Just like camp!

There has been a good bit of national discussion about Native Americans being parodied by summer camps, schools and other organizations. We have had Native American counselors and campers in the past, and I have quizzed them about how they feel in The Heart’s treatment of Native Americans, and they have confirmed that they felt respected and honored rather than spoofed. As long as we continue to esteem and educate, I hope that Kitty, Di and Butter’s portrayal of the Indian theme can continue here!

*“The Boy Captives,”  Clinton L. Smith, original copyright 1927. The Boy Captives Being the True Story of the Experiences and Hardships of Clinton L. Smith and Jeff D. Smith Among the Comanche and Apache Indians During the Early Days- The Only Two Brothers Ever Known to Endure the Same Hardships of Captivity and Get Back Alive.

Turkey & Much More

I wanted to share mom’s thoughts about cooking the turkey. Everyone who has had the pleasure of knowing her knows that her “love language” is food–finding the best, exploring new recipes, cooking exquisitely and presenting it beautifully. Here are her words:

As a child, Thanksgiving was ‘that holiday that signaled the magic of Christmas was coming soon’ but as I have ‘aged,’ Thanksgiving has become the most special time for reflecting and taking time to be truly appreciative of the blessings I enjoy.

 

Since Si and I married (50 years ago this past August), most Thanksgivings have been celebrated with family, immediate and expanded, around our dining table. Si’s parents would come from Houston and mine from Sulphur Springs. Siblings, cousins and good friends were more often around the table than not.

 

The most notable exception was 50 years ago – our first Thanksgiving. We were going to my parents and I said ‘let me bring the turkey’.

 

As only a confident newlywed can be, I was basking in its loveliness as I proudly sat it on the table. After the blessing (before it was carved), I indignantly remarked “This turkey had no giblets. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a turkey without giblets before”. (Admittedly, this was the first turkey I had ever been totally responsible for!)  Well, the turkey DID have giblets. Mother found them inside the turkey as it was being carved. My face was red.

 

That was the last time that ever happened and I suspect between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have prepared over 90 turkey dinners!

 

Through the years, my turkey preparation has changed. I now ‘brine’.  Many years ago Si & I were in Laredo to do camp movies in early November and heard a Martha Stewart program about brining, with Jack Daniels included in the brine. Those who knew Si can imagine that caught his attention!

 

My brine has evolved from the first experiment into one Jeeper and Dick (Howell, who is the official family carver) approve.  I do not stuff the turkey, but cook the cornbread dressing separately and I always cook the turkey breast down until the last 30 minutes or so, as I think it is much juicer. We carve before dinner so if the breast has a few ridges the world does not end: we are more interested in taste than presentation, I guess!

 

Our family had an early Thanksgiving, so this was the 2015 Brine-

 

Brine (for 15-22 # fresh turkey)

 

Dissolve 1 ½ cups Kosher Salt (if you like a salty taste, use 2 cups)

1 cup sugar in water (I heat about a quart and stir until all is totally dissolved)

Add     2-3 Tbls. Whole peppercorns

2-6 whole cloves

4-6 bay leafs

I also picked 3-4 sprigs of fresh marjoram, thyme, oregano and sage and added

Add     1-2 cups bourbon (cheap! As Si said “don’t waste Jack Daniels Black”)

 

This year I also added the peels of 6 oranges and 2 lemons. I think creativity is the secret here! Add things you and your family like! Stir well!

 

When water has cooled, put whole turkey breast down in large container and pour brine over it, adding water to cover. Cover and keep refrigerated for 24 hours or so. Remove from brine, rinse and dry. I rubbed good olive oil over it before placing it breast down in the roaster. Cook at 300 degrees for 4-5 hours, checking thigh temperature after 4 hours. Some cook faster than others! The brining process seems to make them cook more quickly. (This year I had a 19 # turkey and it was done in 4 hours). Let rest at least 20 minutes before carving and enjoy!

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! When I thank the good Lord for all my blessings, Camp Stewart friends and families are near the top of the list!

 

Blessings-

Kathy Ragsdale, Camp Stewart Matriarch

Observations on Using Camp Charter Buses

Why do some camps require campers to arrive by chartered bus?

One reason is that many ‘child experts’ recommend riding chartered buses to camp as psychologically smart.  Admittedly, the first time I heard that at a conference, as a mom, I was skeptical…but ‘the expert’ offered several compelling arguments!

Let your child leave you, rather than vice versa.  He (or she) is leaving you, the parent/guardian, behind, while he/she is heading off for camp and new adventures.  The parent is the one usually in tears seeing off the bus!  The alternative is parent/guardian taking him/her to camp, settling him/her in their new bunk…then driving off, leaving him/her in an unfamiliar place where he/she may not know anyone, and often the camper is in tears, acting abandoned! More on this later…

Camp starts earlier when one rides the bus – one makes new friends on the bus, many watch the camp DVD, sing camp songs and hear tales of camp lore from experienced campers (which may or may not be factual) and by the time they arrive at the camp gates, even if they are a first timer, they have friends and feel part of the group.

Costs.  A dad called about forty years ago with two requests/suggestions: chartered buses to camp and cut down the end of camp activities (Stewart had 3 days back then). He was delightful in his campaign, ending with “if I take my boys to camp and pick them up at the end, the costs of gas, hotel/motel stays and eating out costs almost as much as the camp fee itself.  Even for those clipping coupons, that gets expensive!”  (He was making a point: he worked). Using the bus allows parents not to take off work for camp opening, justifying taking more days at the end of camp when it is so important to campers to share their adventures with their parents! Many families say they use the end of camp as a ‘mini-vacation’ family celebration.

Safety. Chartered buses are statistically safer modes of transportation than private cars. Campers are asked to bring a snack/drink and since each bus has a bathroom, there are no scheduled stops until they arrive at camp (except for designated camper pickups).  Cell phones enable the camp to stay in touch with the bus during the trip.

If it is so much better for campers to arrive by chartered bus, why doesn’t Stewart/ Heart require it? Empathy for Parents.  A few years ago the majority of campers arrived by chartered buses from around the state, but then the era of ‘helicopter’ parents came into being. Parents became more fearful and some felt they had to meet the counselor in person. Si and I empathized.

There are others on the advantages list for chartered buses – some strictly emotional!  My first exposure to this was in 1967, Si & my first summer at Stewart.  A darling towheaded little boy about 6-7, was a second year camper but when his mother started to leave, he clung to her car door handle, sobbing loudly and piteously, running along the side of the car. Tears ran down my face as I watched, not believing she could actually drive away and leave that baby.  I can still see her driving out the front gate, when he turned around TOTALLY DRY EYED and said “Hog Dog, she is finally gone, now we can have fun!”  I was stunned and speechless in disbelief.

Later, I asked him what all that was about on Opening Day and this was the answer: “Aw, Kathy, she expects me to cry and act like I don’t want her to leave. If I didn’t, her feelings would be hurt.” (Remember, he was 6-7).

Over the years I have heard that same statement many times and wondered how we as parents communicate that to our children.  I do not have the answers.  Then there are those few campers who fear separation so much they need to be consoled while their parents drive off:  that is gut-wrenching on parents, child and staff!  When those same campers get on a chartered bus, few will make a scene because they don’t want to lose face in front of their new peers!

It is understandable for parents to want to meet the counselor(s) but I have never known any parents to meet the counselor, then not leave their camper.  When I queried an ‘expert’ on what to tell parents who felt they had to be able to look the counselor in the eye before leaving, the reply was “If they have researched the camp and made their decision, then they have to have confidence in the camp’s ownership/leaders to have picked the best staff possible. After that, it too often becomes about the parent, rather than the child.”

Heart and Stewart make every effort to meet the needs of concerned parents before and during camp as we want both campers AND parents to enjoy the camp experience! It has to be a team effort, starting before arrival!

As a parent, I personally have done both arrival methods. As a camp owner, I have seen the advantages and disadvantages of both. My experience is that campers arriving by chartered bus usually make a faster adjustment to camp and show less anxiety on Opening Day.

Years ago wanting to be the first to select a bunk caused campers to want parents to bring them –and some would be waiting for the gates to open!  Both camps established bunk lotteries (another parental request!) to make this a non-factor.

In today’s technological world the posting of hundreds of photographs on Opening Day (as well as every day) enables parents who utilize a chartered bus to experience Opening Day vicariously. Emails of adjustment concern to George, Jeb, Meredith at Stewart and Jane, Hannah and Monique at Heart are answered as quickly as possible – after checking with both the camper AND his counselor – to see how he/she is adjusting.  Times have changed since 1967 in communication to/from camp!

Taking advantage of the chartered bus (if there is one from your area) is food for thought: sending a child to camp via chartered bus definitely has advantages!

But bottom line, both Heart and Stewart are going to welcome your camper however he/she arrives! We recognize that each camp family knows his/her child better than anyone and knows what is in the best interests of that child. We are just so excited to be spending time with them and humbled that parents have entrusted their most precious beings to us!
Kathy Ragsdale

Editor’s Note: Kathy Ragsdale is the matriarch of Camp Stewart and The Heart.  This is her 49^th summer at Stewart and 39^th at Heart to be passionately involved on a daily basis. She is convinced that if everyone had a summer camp experience the world would function better – especially politically!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Heart girls love the ice cream served daily!  Jane has wanted me to talk about it from the first!

When the Ragsdales starting buying Camp Stewart, there was one cook who just made ice cream.  “Dusty” made an old fashioned egg-milk custard each night, refrigerated it to ‘cool down’ and the next day ran it through a soft serve ice cream machine just prior to lunch.

Homemade  ice cream was a tradition at Stewart, and former campers would frequently show up around lunch during the summer, asking if the ice cream was ready yet!

Dusty’s recipe was written in pencil on the back of the wooden refrigeration unit, and when I divided it down ‘into family size’; I realized it was the same one that I grew up with my mother and grandmother making! We had a connection!

When the Ragsdales bought Heart, homemade ice cream became a tradition here, too.  Today the ice cream cook does more than just make the ice cream, however!

You probably would not imagine it, but the soft serve machine costs more than TWO commercial ranges!  Through the years, we have tried serving frozen yogurt and other frozen desserts, but nothing is as popular as the homemade ice cream normally served each day at lunch.

And yes, we know that we could serve BlueBell more economically!  But the Blue Bell is reserved for Jane & Dick’s ice cream parties – and the beloved tradition of homemade ice cream continues to be served each summer.

If you have an old fashioned crank or electric canister ice cream maker, you too can enjoy the sweet goodness of this old time treat that my family has been making for over one hundred years!

Stewart Ice Cream

(Best done in electric mixer or your arm will be weary!)

Beat 6-10 whole eggs until light in color

Add 2 cups sugar w/2 Tbs. flour mixed in

Beat until well mixed

Add1 quart whole milk which has been heated almost to boiling point

Blend until smooth and well mixed.

Cook in double boiler over medium/low heat until the custard coats ‘the silver spoon’ (custard should be thick enough that if you draw your finger down the back of the spoon the path remains open). I stir frequently when cooking to keep it smooth and from curdling.

Remove from heat and cool undisturbed. If you pour custard into another container & set the container in a bowl of ice, it will cool more quickly. Put a layer of plastic wrap over custard to prevent a film from forming. Do not stir while cooling.  When cool (bottom of pan is comfortable to touch), add a dash of salt and teaspoon of vanilla. (I also add a touch of almond flavoring).  If not ready to freeze, refrigerate until ready to freeze.  When ready to freeze, pour into prepared canister and add whipping cream (half & half will work; it won’t be as smooth & creamy) until canister is ¾ filled.  If you want to add fruit (pureed fresh peaches, etc.), add them later when custard is almost frozen.

Enjoy!  And know that someone makes this in large quantities each day at Heart for your camper, unless there is a kitchen catastrophe!

Kathy Ragsdale

Ready, set, go! A few thoughts from a camp mom

A few thoughts for Camp Parents from a former camper, counselor, and camp Mom.

Well, you’ve done it! Your friends and family can hardly believe you are sending your precious child to camp for four whole weeks!  I know something you already know in your heart–this is one of the best decisions you will ever make in the life of your child!  You are giving her roots and wings, and here are a few ideas about how to get started being a great camp parent.

First get to that checklist in CampInTouch, it is really handy! Take advantage of it.

 

Melissa, Hannah, M-K and Erin at Cypress Hollow last summer.

Go ahead and make that doctor’s appointment, and if she plays school sports, take in the athletic form with your camp physical form and you have two forms filled out at once, and make a copy of your shot records for each.  Done, and feel relieved, it is a nightmare to try and do that last minute!

As shorts start showing up in stores, start looking for whites; I know there are always white shorts for sale, except when you have to have them, then they are hard to find!  Trading Post at camp is your best resource for all clothes camp, but your daughter will have opinions about shorts, especially white ones, so keep your eyes open.

Order stamps, iron-on labels, stickers or get sharpies and start writing her name on everything!  I am not exaggerating, everything!  That is the only way she and her counselor and tepee mates will know the odd sock, shoe, brush, etc. belongs to her.  There are lots of companies online that offer cute labels in every different configuration for all of her things.  This takes some time to order, receive and then apply to her things, so start early!

Take an afternoon to create, order or shop for some fun stationery, and print labels for all of the people she might want to write. Avery labels are easy, and a page or two is more than enough.  Remember grandparents and other family members, they might even write back to her! Our girls were great at writing home some years, and not so great other years.  The first year, we were thrilled to get a letter or two, so don’t worry if you don’t get too much mail!  You will get to watch for pictures online, which is really fun; you get a great idea of what they are up to, and get to see those happy faces!

If you are truly worried, or have questions, just give the office a call. They can let you know how she is doing!  Don’t forget to set up your phone call (four-week campers only) through CampInTouch, that is when you can hear her voice, and know she is truly having fun!  If you are not good at writing letters, you can e-mail, you just set it up on the web site.  However do not underestimate the power of receiving mail at camp!  Write a short note, send little gifts they can use, or things they forgot.  Mail is delivered after lunch, right as they go to siesta, and is much anticipated!  Care packages can even be ordered from different companies online and personalized with things your daughter might like.  No, you cannot send food, candy or gum. Packages are inspected, so save those goodies for when you pick her up.

Drop-off is a wonderful morning, get to camp early and enjoy it with your daughter!  You can park across the road before they open the gates and meet and greet other campers, then at the appointed hour the gates open and the staff sings you onto camp!  Then you go to the Village, check in, turn in any paperwork you may still have, turn in any medicines to the nurse, and finally get her tepee assignment.  You will then get her gear and move in.  After she is settled you may want to stay and eat lunch with her, or say your goodbyes and let her begin the experience.

Hanging around is not a great idea, make sure she knows she has everything, and if you have forgotten something you can mail it, then give her a big hug and a kiss and get back on

Melissa, Hannah, M-K and Erin at Cypress Hollow last summer

the road.  This is it, they are very well taken care of, and you can go with confidence!  Things get going very quickly, so they won’t be thinking about you, they will be signing up for classes, and making new friends! The term has begun!

Camp for my family, The Heart has been a multigenerational experience.  We have all loved it and benefited from it.  You are giving your daughter an experience that cannot be found anywhere else.  She will make friends that she will have for a lifetime and she will grow immeasurably!

The Heart is a gift you give your daughter.  I believe you give her roots because she will be grounded in confidence and know she can accomplish what she is willing to work hard for. She will learn to be thoughtful and aware of others and her surroundings. She will know she is loved so that she can truly fly.  What better can we do for our children?  Enjoy the experience!

Editor’s Note: Melissa Osmun Kearney teaches Kindergarten before and after being a stay-at-home mom for her daughters and one son. Melissa’s two aunts attended The Heart (Judy and Elaine Osmun), as did her sister and niece (Carrie Osmun Pearson and Katelynn Pearson) and daughters, (Hannah, Mary-Katherine, and Erin Kearney). Among the girls in the clan, there are five Chieftains, four war canoe sterns, and five Jo Jones Sportsmanship Award recipients! Jane–

When you love food, there is just so much to say!

When you love food, there is just so much to say!

When I talk or write about food, the term ‘scratch’ cooking is frequent! ‘Scratch’ to me means putting together fresh ingredients – not opening a box of mix and adding water/oil or eggs, as a few cooks through the years have tried to tell me!  Slicing purchased frozen cookie dough and calling them ‘home made” does not qualify as ‘scratch’.

Don’t get me wrong! There is a time for the convenience of mixes and frozen prepared foods and we utilize them at camp but they are not the ‘standard’.  Through the years I have found that many great chefs simply cannot make pancake batter from scratch but find it easy to fix omelets for the entire camp! Camp does its best to adapt to the talents of each culinary staff without departing from the Heart’s culinary philosophy.

Does everyone like everything we serve? No and neither do I! But the goal is to make sure every meal is balanced, nourishing and will fit the dietary needs as well as having menus which are very varied.  For girls who are constantly watching their weight we try to arrange each meal with that in mind.  If they are vegetarian, the goal is to see that there other protein options in the meal.  This was made easier when we added the salad bar but the kitchen staff always has something available to fit the needs – not whims- of every camper.

To me, one of the big opportunities of camp is learning to try new foods –this maybe more difficult for staff than campers – to increase their culinary horizons. I used to tell our children that until you try it, you don’t know if you like it.  Just as an unseasoned boiled potato tastes far different from a crispy French fry, sautéed fresh squash at Heart may taste totally different from what was served at school!

Si and I preached about trying new foods so much that when Jane was 12 and in Monterrey, Mexico, with our late friend Fred Poole, she decided she would order whatever he did because she had heard us talk about what a gourmand he was.  That worked fine until he ordered avocado stuffed with baby eels at The Louisiana.  I loved her solution: she just closed her eyes and ate – said as long as she couldn’t see the eyes or think about it, they were good! (I suspect she has never ordered them again, though).

And that was another thing we said: don’t say “I don’t like something” until you have tried it fairly.  If you don’t like it, then don’t order it when you are out eating – but always try everything put in front of you when you are a guest ….unless there is an allergy (and none of our four had real food allergies, fortunately!).

The lessons learned at camp cover so many areas of life!

Kathy Ragsdale