Heyo folks! Lady of the Lake and Olive Oyl here with news from our first day of classes!

Campers are all in their first period classes after an exciting morning meeting! We started off the day with a truly fantastic breakfast – our first egg bar! At meeting we were introduced to many different characters who will be with us this summer. Peter announced Interest Groups which happen during fifth period. Instead of signing up for a class, campers can choose from a number of options each day, like swimming in the pool, playing frisbee in the backyard, making glass beads, and going to Meg’s Planet (Meg’s amazing garden), among other fantastic activities. This morning, the announcing of Interest Groups was interrupted by mysterious bagpipes and drums. With his musical party in tow, Snack Scott emerged, waving a Scottish flag, to tell us all about snack, which happens at the start of Interest Groups. It was joyous! The Birthday Psychic also made an appearance to announce three different birthdays. All of camp joined together to sing two rousing versions of happy birthday – the English version, and the Dutch version, a HVC classic. Then, after class locations got all sorted out, Peter sent us on our merry way!

Last night, we had a superb evening program – Opening Pine Grove. Pine Grove, a majestic grove of pines, sits on the top of Tipi Hill. We have Pine Grove at the start and end of every session. It gives us all an opportunity to share whatever we please with the entire camp community, such as music, stories, or campfire traditions. We always walk up in silence, and to respect the serenity of the place, we don’t take photos or use our flashlights. Because we have such a fantastic group of campers this year, every single cabin performed at Pine Grove. It was truly remarkable. Many cabins sang (or told) camp classics – Avalon led us all in Lima Bean, Valhalla in Brown Squirrel, Chateau in the Pickle Story, Wombles in the Pizza Man, Paquatahnee in the Jellyfish Song, LCH in Bazooka Bubble Gum, French Quarter in Baby Shark, Forbidden Planet in the Princess Pat, Halley’s Comet in Everywhere We Go, Wabanaki in I don’t Know What I’ve Been Told, and Shangri-La in Spongebob’s Campfire Song. Other cabins sang (or read) songs and poems previously unheard at Pine Grove. The Burrow sang Turn the World Around, Loons sang the Lion Sleeps Tonight (with some great twists that got many of us singing), Camelot sang Tonight, Tonight, Taj Mahal sang Ho Hey, Bermuda Triangle sang Best Day of My Life, Fiddler’s Green read a poem, and Community told us about what Community means. Meg and Peter also spoke and led us in a round. After the last act, we headed down Tipi Hill to get snuggled in our beds.

After a busy first day of classes, we’ll have our first Cabin Night of the session this evening. Cabin Night gives each cabin group a chance to get to know one another, bond, and create some lasting memories. More details to come tomorrow!

Farewell,

Lady and Olive

 

Hi there, folks at home! Olive Oyl here with your Orientation day update!

It’s been a jam-packed day since we first heard the donkeys roar this morning! All cabins have been travelling around camp doing five main things today: signing up for classes, swim evaluations, tours, photos, and the health lodge. For class signups our pottery man Dan gave his famous “schpiel” about signups, explaining how our two-week and four class period day works, plus going over interest groups and extras like doing the ropes course, visiting the Hope Elephants, the overnight camping trip, or opting to join Tipi Village.

The lake path has been bustling with cabins traveling to and from the waterfront for swim evaluations. Thanks Hidden Valley’s amazing solar heating system (aka the sun), the lake has been nice and warm for our campers. Cabins also made sure to stop by the health lodge, where everyone got a lice check and we are happy to report that we are lice free at HVC! The nurses also spoke to the cabins about general camp health, like hydrating, applying sun screen, and daily tick-checks. At this stop campers also got their photo taken, which will be sent home shortly. Interspersed between all of these many activities were camp tours and plenty of down time, perfect for get to know you games like “The Wind is Blowing,” “Two Truths and a Lie,” and a fun HVC favorite “Ninja,” where you strike you best ninja pose and try to strike your neighbors out in just one fluid motion.

We also had an extra long rest period this afternoon, which gave cabins plenty of time to go over cabin rules, sort out logistics like shower schedules and chore charts, and decide on cabin books for the summer. We also had time to figure out songs or stories to share at this evening’s Pine Grove ceremony, which is sure to be a peaceful and beautiful way to ring in the start of summer here at HVC.

Be sure to check out the photos of all the action happening so far today! More news to come soon.

Peace and love,
Olive

Greetings, friends! Olive Oyl here with your final Arrival Day update!

Our New York and Boston bus-ers have arrived safely and soundly just in time for an informational and hilarious camp meeting and then a delicious dinner of fried chicken, potatoes, salad, and some carrot cake to top it all off. After dinner we made our way to the Rec Hall for Opening Night skits, where we learned all about the classes being offered over the next two weeks. All of this information was shared by our counselors and awesome MCs, who played a group of kids who went into a Narnia-esque door and ended up in various other movie sets, such as The Pink Panther, The Titanic, and Jurassic Park. Pete and Meg made sure to say a big goodnight to all of our campers as the PDs announced a bed time, followed by a gorgeous wave of “silent ups” throughout the Rec Hall.

Tomorrow is a jam-packed day, with cabins rotating around five main activities: the lake for swim evaluations, the health lodge for general camp health info, lice checks, and photos, a camp tour, and finally, class signups! There will also be an extra long rest hour and some free time throughout the day, giving cabins a time to settle in and fully unpack from today’s big move. Tomorrow night’s evening program is Pine Grove, where cabins will share music, stories, and laughs, settling us in the beautiful nature of Hidden Valley and the camp spirit of kindness and silliness that we’ll continue throughout the summer.

I’m off to get some sleep before our busy day tomorrow! Be sure to check out the photos of bus arrivals and opening night skits!

So long,

Olive

 

 

Hey guys! Lady of the Lake here with exciting news about arrival day!

Cars have been trickling in since around 9am this morning, and camp is abuzz with excitement! Campers and their families are meeting the staff and chatting with Peter and Meg. Campers are settling in and unpacking, as well as partaking in the many activities taking place in the front yard. Some campers are gathered around a guitar to have a sing-a-long, while others are beginning intricate friendship bracelets. Soccer balls are flying and frisbees are soaring – it’s beginning to look a lot like camp! The kittens are making appearances, too, and are a big hit (how could four lovable, fuzzy kittens not be?). There is also a giant mosaic that campers are working on, and it’s sure to come out phenomenally. Inside the Red Barn, campers are playing foosball and other games, like Uno and cards. Families are also wandering around camp and getting to know the area, as well as having some quality time with the llamas. Lots of families are also joining us for lunch. The New York and Boston buses are on their way, and will be here in time for dinner.

Be sure to check out pictures of campers loading the NYC and Boston buses and everything that’s happening here in Maine! We’ll also be posting this evening once our campers have arrived safely and soundly.

Until next time,

Lady of the Lake