Girls Sleepaway Camp in the Adirondack Mountains in Brant Lake, New York
In the past few years we have seen more bald eagles up here on Brant Lake. Last year, Sue and Jim even had an eagle land on a tree behind their house, and this morning Brandon finally caught one of them on film. While they generally stay away from the busyness of the summer these surprisingly huge birds are becoming an increasingly frequent sight. This bald eagle was out in the middle of the frozen lake early this morning. What an amazing place to call home.
It was so wonderful to see you at the reunion. All of the smiles, all the hugs, all the friends. We got to enjoy this year’s especially spectacular camp video, and remember a summer of fun. We all thank the great Peak of 2011. We will miss you! We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
UPDATE: The photos have been posted. Log in to see them!
Fall at the farm is beautiful. The leaves are turning vibrant shades of red and orange, the lean-tos at the farm are the perfect spot to watch it happen. Last weekend Callie decided we should have one last camp out in the lean-tos for her this time. Caressa and Tessa joined Brandon and Callie for a dinner of sauteed sausage and mushrooms with rice cooked over a camp stove. After dinner we gathered wood and built a warm fire in front of the lean-to, and, of course, we roasted marshmallows over the fire.
After dinner, Caressa took Tessa home to her bed, and Callie filled with excitement. She had been talking for weeks about her first ever overnight. She wanted to be just like the big camper girls, sleeping out at the farm. Brandon and Callie read stories in our sleeping bags and looked out as the stars came out overhead. We listened for a bit to the sounds of turkeys in the woods (a group of 15 large wild turkeys returned to the farm this fall), and soon fell asleep. Callie stayed warm in her sleeping bag, and woke in the morning to help her dad make a breakfast of hot chocolate and hot oatmeal to cap off the experience.
Callie says she misses all the campers because they went home, and looks forward to everyone being back soon. She adds, “Next time I will be four and a half. I love you!”
The air at camp turned cold last night announcing the arrival of fall. The bunks are eerily quiet and the leaves are just beginning to show a little of what will be soon vivid new colors. Quite a few of your favorite staff are still here at camp, enjoying the beauty of the Point, and preparing for your return.
We have already received so many applications from both new and returning campers for the summer of 2012. We cannot wait for all of you to return to your summer home.
It has been a truly wonderful summer. Thank you all for being a part of it. We are so happy about the summer that has been, and sad to see it finish. Campers, we love you and look forward to being together again, at Reunion and when you return to camp. Thank you to our outstanding staff who brought such life and warmth to camp. We will especially miss our Peakers, who are Peakers forever and will move ahead in their lives, building on the friendships they have made and the lessons we have learned together. The Point is always your home. We love you.
Brandon, Jim, Sue, Sherie and Erin
