My Camp report for Spring 2000


This time, Daddy and I decided to go to Camp an extra-extra day early; so we left for Camp early on the morning of Wednesday June 7th. The trip went very nicely and the five-hour drive seemed to fly by. We arrived at Rainbow Mountain at about noon. The whole place was very very busy. All the buildings at the resort are being repainted. They had finished painting the cabins and by then they were working on the main lodge. I can't wait to see it in the Fall. All the buildings will now be white with yellow trim. We decided to arrive Wednesday so I could be fresh and ready to enjoy the whole day on Thursday.

When Daddy walked into the lobby to check me in, the people inside were also very busy. The resort mails out a schedule of events once each quarter to those who go regularly. This was the day that they finished the mailing to get it ready to go to the post office. When that was done they set about inflating about a zillion balloons to decorate the lodge and nightclub building for our weekend.

Daddy unloaded the car and then we had a special delivery to make at the lobby. Taffeta had the idea that this time at Camp we would collect toys for regular children who aren't as lucky as we are. I was pleased to help with some of the arrangements and Ms Sharon at Camp thought is was a great idea and agreed to take the toys to a local charity and donate them anonymously. Daddy took me shopping a couple of times before Camp so I could get some toys to donate. Now Daddy gathered up the toys and delivered them to the lobby where they were stacked together with donations from other girls. Actually the other girls had not arrived yet, but some, even some that could not come to Camp this time, sent donations by mail. By the end of Camp there was a very nice collection of toys that I am sure will bring smiles to the children who receive them. Taffy and Petricia took photographs of the toys and I expect that at least one of the pictures will be posted to the net so those who weren't able to attend can see the result of our effort.

We hadn't been at Camp long when we found that we weren't the only ones with the idea to arrive an extra day early. Wendy and her friend Silone came next with Amy. Then a little while later Petricia arrived. All but Petricia stayed invisible for the day on Wednesday. Petricia was visible well before diner time.

In the early afternoon, I took up my camera and went around Camp making pictures. I had lots of fun and by the time I was done it was time to practice writing my Hiragana characters for a while before diner time. We all sat together at diner and talked about what we had been doing since last Camp.

After diner it was time for me to go nighty night so I bid good night to the others and went off to sleep. I slept in much later than usual since I wanted to be very fresh for the weekend events. When I did wake up I took some time to daydream (one of my favorite things to do); then I got ready to greet the day. I finally got out by about 8:30AM. I remember thinking how funny it seemed to be so late getting out in the morning.

I walked around Camp for a little while and ended up on the veranda sipping a cup of tea, practicing my characters, and enjoying the lovely morning. Here at home, there is a pair of Cardinals that visit our feeder and sing to us daily. I was so happy that there was a pair of Cardinals at Camp and they sang to me while I sat on the veranda. I love Cardinals; they are very pretty and very polite birds too. I had only been there for a while when Heather's Daddy walked up. He had actually arrived at Camp much earlier, but since the main lodge is closed in the morning, he went for a drive around town to do some shopping. When he got back he came out to the veranda to see if anyone was about and found me. Heather's Daddy had been driving all night and was very sleepy so we only talked a short time and then he went to unpack and take a nap. By 10:00 AM it seemed like none of the others would be up in time to join me for breakfast, so I went ahead and ordered. When I finished eating I returned to my room to get a book; when I got back, the other girls had arrived for breakfast.

When I got dressed in the morning I put on my new yellow pop skirt. Pop skirts have attached bloomer shorts so you can keep your modesty while climbing and swinging in the playground. I headed right for the swings. I must have been on the swings for about an hour as I alternated between swinging high and sort of just swinging a little while I daydreamed. Then I went to climb on the bars. I like the bars 'cause you can see a long way from the top of the bars. Whenever I saw someone arrive I would stop and go to the main lodge to see who it was and then go back to play while they moved into their room. When I saw Taffy at the main lodge I was surprised that I didn't see Donna. Taffy had been very excited about Donna coming with her to Camp. I knew they had been traveling together for a few days before Camp so I was a little concerned as to why I didn't see her. As it turned out Donna was very tired and had a little cold so she wasn't feeling well. Taffy hurried to get moved in so Donna could get some rest. Ms Farida and Taffeta were delayed in there travels and arrived just in time to move in and get ready for Ballet class. We had a hurried hello, but I was very glad to see Taffeta again.

I don't recall what time it was, but fairly early in the day someone said to me. "Ms Barbara is here". I knew she was coming to Camp so I hurried to the main lodge to see her. Ms Barbara is a wonderful lady who lives in Texas and she makes very pretty clothes. She made my very first dress that I wore at the prior Fall Camp. Ms Barbara also made my yellow pop skirt and my new yellow dress for this Camp. She said she would be coming to show some samples and take measurements for anyone that wanted their measurements. When I was on my way to the main lodge I met her coming out. She knew who I was by the yellow pop skirt I was wearing and she introduced herself. She had a little errand so I went on in and started looking over the rack of clothes she had brought. I found a beautiful pop skirt; it is white with pink cherries print with white lace and pink ribbon. I knew she brought it as a sample, but when she came back I said that if no one else showed an interest in it I would like it.

When I had played enough at the playground I went for a walk around Camp Pond. There were lots of little froggies jumping into the water as I walked along and there were lots of squirrels scampering around in the trees and on the ground two. Sometimes one would stop so I could see how cute she was. By two in the afternoon most of the girls had arrived and Ms Farida held the first Ballet class of the weekend. I have a little problem with my tummy that was being a problem that afternoon; so though I went to the first Ballet class, I watched form the side. In spite of being tired Heather came to Ballet class. She told us it was the main reason she came to Camp. Heather loves Ballet and she works hard at the lessons. As the class went along other girls came in and that was when I met Crystal. Crystal is a tall girl like Arcee and I; I like not being the only tall girl.

After class we played outside for most of the afternoon. The hopscotch court got drawn on the pavement and it wasn't long until Taffeta, Crystal, Karen Marie, and Arcee were challenging the Camp hopscotch championship. This was just a warm up and the actual champion would not be determined until Saturday. We talked about skipping rope, but everyone thought it was too warm to skip rope. Our Days at Camp were lovely sunny days with high 70 s F to low 80s F. Very nice days indeed, but not the best for petticoats or skipping rope.

By then it was time to change for diner so we went our ways to prepare. Before I went to my room to change I stopped by the lobby again and the pink pop skirt was still on the rack. I asked Ms Barbara if anyone else had shown an interest and she said no one had. Daddy had given me money incase I could get it so I bought it from her and took it with me back to my room. I wore my five tier yellow skirt with a white blouse for dinner. I decided to carry my Crescent Moon wand too. Diner was very long on Thursday; by the time we finished, it was way past time for me to go nighty night. Diner was nice though, the food was excellent as usual and we had a fine talk together.

Since I was up late on Thursday, I was quite late again Friday morning. I was out by about 8:30AM just in time for Ballet class at 9:00. When I got over to the main lodge I saw that even though the main lodge doesn't open until 9:00 AM they had coffee and tea set up for us on the front porch. Arcee had asked me to wake her up early. She knows I like to go for early walks and wanted to go to, but the way things worked out we both just made it to Ballet class on time. My tummy was feeling stronger so I went ahead and danced. I love Ms Farida's Ballet class. We get lots of exercise and when I finally get the steps right I feel so good inside. We planned to have a recital at the Birthday Party on Saturday so we were all trying our best.

After Ballet class I skipped breakfast because I knew we would have hotdogs and hamburgers at our pool party in the early afternoon and it was already 10:30. I went to my room and changed into my new pink pop skirt with a white blouse. I went to the swings and found most of the girls either swinging or climbing on the bars. I joined in and we had a great time playing and talking together. After a while Taffeta and Crystal wanted to start the hopscotch competition so we all set off for the hopscotch court. I stopped by Daddy's car to pick up a small snack of ginger cookies I had left there. I ate a couple cookies so I wouldn't be too hungry at the pool party. The hopscotch went on for about an hour then they decided that the preliminaries were over and we should do something else. I think they were just a little tired. Arcee, Crystal, Karen Marie, and Taffeta were all very confident that they could win the final competition on Saturday.

The hopscotch was finished just in time for everyone to freshen up for the pool party. I think Taffeta and I were among the first ones there. Mr Frank cooked and served for us and we had a super great time. The day was sunny and warm, the food was yummy!, and some of the girls actually went swimming. Well, splashing in the shallows actually. I think the pool party was one of the very best parts of Camp. We were only there for a couple of hours, but everything seemed so just perfect. It is one of the times I remember like a pretty dream. There wasn't anything special that we did or that happened; it was more the wonderful feeling of being there, with my friends on a perfect day.

After the pool party it was time to color the Easter Eggs! We planned to have an Easter Egg hunt after the birthday party on Saturday. Now was the time to decorate the eggs. We gathered in the sun room where Mr. Frank provided several dozen eggs, water, and the other things we forgot we would need, but he was able to provide. Debbie's Mommy had brought several egg coloring kits and both her and Crystal's Mommy helped us get things set up and started with decorating the eggs. I specialized in yellow. When we were done there were three or four big racks of brightly decorated eggs just waiting to be hidden on Saturday.

Once again it was time to dress for diner. I returned to my room very excited because this was the night that I would wear my new yellow dress. Daddy bought me a very fluffy white with yellow trim petticoat to go with my new dress, but it turned out to be to fluffy for the dress. I changed to one of my white petticoats and I was almost ready. All I lacked was for someone to tie the bow in my sash. Off I went to the main lodge, sash in hand. We spent a while complementing each other on our pretty clothes. Ms Barbara was there so I made a point of thanking her for making my new dress. She turned me around and looking me over; she showed me how to place the shoulder ruffle under the collar so it would be just right and said I looked very nice in it. After a few minutes it was time to go into the dining room for diner. Taffy invited me to join her and Donna in the sun room so I did. We had a fine talk about Camp, our dolls, clothes, our web sites and Taffy's new camera. I had the Salmon steak and it was just great, but there was so much that I decided to skip dessert. We finished diner earlier than on Thursday so after we were done we had more time for play and talk. I finally went nighty night about ten o'clock so I could do better at rising early on Saturday.

Saturday morning I was ready and out by 8:00 AM so I went to Arcee's room to see if she wanted to go for a walk. I knocked on her door and said "Acree chan" Tsukino Usagi desu". Then I heard a sleepy "What?" I repeated my greating to which I got the reply "Oh alright... I'll the there in a minute". I greeted Arcee in Japanese because she also is studying Japanese. After a few minutes Acree was out and ready to go for our walk. We had about an hour before Ballet class so we started with a walk around Camp Pond. Then we started down the hill behind the playground, but the grass was very wet with dew; so we turned back. We ended up on the veranda. Along the way we talked about how my Daddy and her big brother had grown up and generally got to know each other better. As we sat talking on the veranda others joined us and we had nice chats until it was time for Ballet Class.

Saturday's Ballet Class is the most intensive as we try to get everything right for our recital at the Birthday Party. First we stretched and warmed up; then we started rehearsing our number for the recital. We got so involved that we lost track of time and Mr Frank came to remind us that breakfast time would soon be upon us. With one last run through, we went for breakfast. In Pammies absence (she only attends Camp in the Fall) I provided little packs of Vegemite for anyone who wanted to try it on their toast. Not many of the girls seem to like it, but trying Vegemite is becoming a Camp tradition. I had my usual French Toast for breakfast; I love French Toast with Maple Syrup.

After breakfast, as I walked through the lobby someone said that Uncle Tom had arrived so I went outside to greet him. We talked for a while with some of the other girls then I went to my room and changed from my school uniform into my yellow pop skirt. We hadn't had school class yet; indeed Uncle Tom came to Camp to teach our Saturday school class. I had gotten quite warm in Ballet class and needed to freshen up and change my clothes. After I changed I went back to join the others who were in the middle of deciding where we should hold our class. We settled on the lobby since it was cool, large, and was well lit from the windows. Uncle Tom started by helping us decide what we wanted to do. We all like to take quizzes for Stars so we started with Aunt June's quiz that she sent specially for our class. I was disqualified 'cause I had brought the quiz to Camp and had read it. I didn't mind though; I had fun seeing which girls would get the answers. After we finished that quiz Melissa suggested that Uncle Tom could ask more questions from a book she had brought. I got to participate in that quiz and earned some Stars.

After class it was time to hold the championship hopscotch competition. The only problem was that some of the contestants had become invisible and gone shopping in town. Crystal and Taffeta had a major hop off. Both were tired and hot when they finished and at times it wasn't clear who would win. Taffeta and Crystal were both doing their very best. In the end though, Taffeta completed the course in two tries. Crystal could not do it in two. Just as Taffeta was about to leave the court, the others who had been away shopping returned. They quickly became visible and came to the hopscotch court. As it turned our only Arcee and Karen wanted a turn to try and better Taffeta's performance. Shopping had taken its toll though and neither girl was able to complete the course in two tries. Taffeta was very happy because that meant she didn't have to hop anymore to defend her previous win.

We just had time to go change for the Birthday Party. I was thinking that since we would be having an Easter Egg hunt outdoors as part of the Birthday Party that I would not wear my white party dress. I didn't want to chance getting it damaged or dirty. I went to my room and changed into my yellow skirt with the white lace tiers with a white blouse. I also changed Michelle into her yellow dress. I was going to be dancing in the recital so I took my ballet slippers with me. Off I went down the hill with Michelle and my slippers. I was early and only a few girls had arrived. While we waited for the rest to arrive we talked and took pictures. There was a nice stack of presents for the gift exchange; they all looked pretty and I wondered what might be in them. There was a large bowl of assorted candy so I indulged in a couple pieces of candy while I waited.

In a little while everyone had arrived and taken seats at the tables. Crystal's, Debbie's, and Taffeta's Moms made the party go nicely and Mr. Frank helped a lot too. First we had our punch and cake, then we played pin the tail on the donkey. That was a very funny game 'cause all the tails ended up stuck very close to each other. They did figure out who won, but I'm sorry I don't remember now who won. After that the Mom's went to hide the Easter Eggs outside while we played table games. After a while we were taken outside, lined up, and given little baskets. Then someone said "GO!" and we went wandering off looking for eggs. I walked slowly because I didn't want to walk on an egg and I really enjoyed the Easter Egg hunt and wanted it to last. When we had first started Wendy found one of the Yellow eggs I had colored and she came and gave it to me. I found four eggs on my own; one was very pretty and mostly pink. I thought Wendy would like it so I gave it to her. That was lots of fun; I hope we do it again next Spring.

We went back inside and Mr. Frank collected the eggs back into racks. He said they were going to be his diner. We laughed, and I sure hope he was kidding. That's way too many eggs to eat at once. Next came our recital. The tables were moved to the side of the room and the girls who were not dancing took seat at one side of the room. We got our slippers on and lined up ready to dance. We get a little confused about what comes next sometimes so Ms Farida started the music and lead us through our recital. I loved it! I think being in a Ballet recital is one of the very best things that a girl can do. I think we did well for our age and we sure had lots of fun! That was the end of our Birthday Party so we picked up our things and made our way back to our rooms. We still had a few hours before diner time, but I wanted to freshen and change for diner.

I put on my white party dress with the wide pink sash and a big pink bow at the back of the sash. I also decided to carry my Moon Scepter. When I arrived at the main lodge we had some time to talk, sign memory books, and play before we were seated for diner. Taffeta invited me to sit with her so we sat together in the main dining room. We sat at the big long table and several of us at the table enjoy singing. As we sat waiting to be served we sang most of the songs from "The Sound of Music". That was lots of fun! This year they added a television and VCR in the lobby. When they heard us singing they found a copy of the movie so we could watch it after diner. Everyone is always very nice to us at Camp. During diner we did more memory book signing and had a really wonderful evening together. After diner some sat on the porch to talk and some watched the movie. In what seemed a very short time it was time for nighty nights.

I returned to my room and packed most of my things so I wouldn't be bothered with that in the morning. Again on Sunday I was up and out early. I took a short walk then went to the veranda to wait for the others. There were few girls who wanted to dance so Ms Farida held a short class then we all gathered on the veranda to finish writing in our memory books and have breakfast. Debbie and her Mommy decided to do the arrangements for Fall Camp and we are very grateful for their help. As it turns out the resort is getting more busy and so we decided on the dates for Fall Camp and the dates for Spring Camp of 2001 as well. By about 11:00 AM everyone was going to their rooms to pack. I did the same and by about 11:30 I was invisible and Daddy packed the car. Daddy stayed around to say bye bye to the other Daddies. Melissa's Daddy gave everyone a bottle of bubbles for us to play with at home. By about 12:30 I was in the car and we were on our way home. I've been to five Camps now and leaving never gets easier. In what seemed a short five-hour drive I was home and Daddy unloaded the car. Now I'm already thinking about Fall Camp!

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