Our final day of Camp has come and gone. What started with pouring rain and clouds ended with sunny skies and more stars than you can imagine. Breakfast today included French toast sticks (so much cinnamon sugar deliciousness), sausage links, muffins, and fruit. Morning groups met for the final time, exchanging kind words in the form of strength bombardment, reflecting on the week, and sharing a few final moments laughing about shared memories.
As the rain poured down, campers and staff made their way to the Dining tent for lunch. Today’s midday meal was meatball subs, falafel, and WAFFLE FRIES. They were simply perfect. We began making plans for a rainy hug line, only to be surprised by the rain slowing to a drizzle, and then stopping all together. Divine timing, if you will. The senior class and administrative staff kicked off the hug line as a playlist compiled by staff member Colin Denizkurt serenaded us over the speakers. Campers and staff exchanged words of affirmation and hugs as they made their way through the line, listening to some of our favorite Camp songs.
In the final moments of the hug line, the skies opened up again as we moved from the field to the Council Ring for our annual graduation and award ceremony. Fortunately, the shower was brief. We welcomed the Class of 2023 to the center of the Council Ring. Dressed in their graduation gowns, each senior was recognized and given a framed photo of their class taken earlier in the week. Yours truly may have included a second silly photo as well.
After celebrating our seniors, we distributed our Cody Awards. These awards are based on nominations made by campers and staff. Awards were awarded for most Camp spirit, best basketball teammate, best listener, and more. These awards give our Camp family an opportunity to recognize someone who has positively impacted their week. We awarded more than 25 awards this year!
Campers and staff welcomed some much needed free time between graduation and dinner. Folks spent time down by the lake, playing lawn games, and resting. Dinner came in the form of an early Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, and a lovely pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. As dinner came to a close, the Camp Cody staff stopped by the Dining Tent just in time to be recognized for their hard work this week. They make our meals, keep the campground clean, and provide us with endless support as we move through the week. We are so lucky to have them as partners in this work.
Later on in the evening, each cabin walked down the soccer cage together for our Consecration Service. Led by Reverends Bill Ferguson and Brian Craig, our seniors, and CITs, the worship service acts as the culmination of our week together. Held outdoors under the stars, the service included reflections from our Chapel messages throughout the week and also gave each cabin an opportunity to share what they are looking forward to most in the upcoming year and how they plan to bring the Camp spirit home with them. It was really special to hear our campers share.
After communion was served and the message was shared, Rev. Bill instructed everyone to crack their glow-stick simultaneously and faces lit up with the different colors, illuminating the soccer cage.
We then made our way to the Council Ring for messages from our senior class around the campfire, as well as a few tunes from John Fiander. On their way out of Consecration, each camper and staff member received a cup with the Camp logo on it and a bag of microwave popcorn to enjoy later on. Three members of our senior class offered reflections on what their Camp and youth group experiences have meant to them. All three did an amazing job addressing our campers.
As is our tradition, we joined hands and sang the Lord’s Prayer together around the fire, eyes pointed at the stars. Hugs and kind words were exchanged as everyone gathered around the fire afterward.
My heart is overflowing with joy at what a wonderful week we’ve had.
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