Palmer (and I) have been talking about Palmer going to camp since he was three years old. We visited Camp Longhorn when Palmer was younger and he was sold on the idea and ready to go. However, Camp Longhorn doesn't allow campers until completion of second grade, so we decided to check out Camp Ozark in Arkansas this year. We could not have loved the camp more and Palmer had a wonderful week. We might have drank the Ozark kool-aid for life. TBD. Ha.
Finally, his trunk was packed and the car was decorated for the drive to Camp Ozark.
I have never seen Palmer more excited. Ever. When we arrived, the kids stuck their heads out of sunroofs as the cars paraded down the main drive of the camp while staffers sang and danced and waved to the incoming campers. Palmer's name was called out over the loudspeaker as he entered the grounds and he waved like royalty. Our car was also labeled with a "First Time Camper" placard and staffers broke out into chants of "First Time Camper!" as we drove by.
Upon arrival to the cabin, Palmer ran off ahead of us, picked out his own top bunk, met his counselors, and made new friends before we even got to the cabin. We helped him make his bed, watched him take the swim test, and checked out the camp store.
When it was time to go, Palmer gave us a fist bump and introduced Rick and me to his "new best friend Duncan". We felt confident that Palmer was ready to get on with the day and we had a long drive ahead of us, so off we went.
From that point on, I became obsessed with the Camp Ozark app that posts about 1200 photos a day. I refreshed that app regularly for any sign of life during the week. I had no worries about Palmer- I knew he was having fun. It was just so weird to not talk to him for an entire week. Here are some photos from the app (and from an insider source- a staffer who was friends with Aunt Holly in high school!)
We also received a digital post card from both Palmer and one of his sweet counselors.
I also loved the position Palmer was put in by the camp to be a younger participant in a larger community. Because Palmer's school is large, he often stays in his pod of first grade kids and doesn't see bigger kids a ton. Everything in his life revolves around him and his peers. At Camp Ozark, he was a member of a tribe and got to participate in some competitions, but also sit on the sidelines and cheer on the older kids in his tribe. I liked that he was able to watch and see that right now he is little, but one day he can do the things that the bigger kids get to do. See him on the sideline here?
Meanwhile, Grace had a good week as a solo child. However, she really missed Palmer and cried for him several times. Still, we had some nice one-on-one time. She even got to see the traveling Broadway production of the Lion King.
A week later, we picked up Palmer and it was so good to see him again. All three of us (maybe especially Grace) had really missed him. Palmer came back grounded, calm, more confident, and so mature.
After camp pickup, we took advantage of the proximity of the camp to our friend Kalee and Brandon's boathouse and we enjoyed a weekend on the boat with good friends.
Thanks for a good time, Arkansas...
-Bethany
