Day 1: Welcome to Camp!

Hello Families!

We have gotten off to a great start here at Camp and are so excited for what’s to come. The campers arrived around 10 AM on a bright and sunny morning, and we got straight into counselor introductions and cabin assignments. After the counselors got your wonderful children into their cabins and settled in, it was only a matter of minutes before that palpable and familiar Walker Creek Ranch--Choir Camp energy was felt. Suffice it to say: WE. ARE. BACK! (and better than ever).

Campers toured around the premises and were given an introduction to their environment. Concert Choir and Ensemble were shown where they’d rehearse and where their amenities are before heading to their meetings for a debriefing by Mr. Brown and Eric, respectively. In the meantime, Joyful Voices campers were playing icebreaker games and learning some preliminary songs with Anne. Lunch came next at noon, where campers enjoyed delicious chicken tenders, potato wedges, and fruit salad (of course, with tofu and sunflower butter and jelly sandwich options for our vegetarian, Pescatarian, and vegan campers).

Musicianship assessments came next, which are administered to help us better place your bright singers in the appropriate musicianship class we feel they are suited for. It’s not always the most fun part, but it’s definitely one of the more crucial aspects of the first day of camp, because it helps us set the campers up for success. Camp Joyful Voices spent this time doing medical check-ins and taking swimming tests in the refreshing Turtle Pond. Right after the assessments were complete, Concert Choir and Ensemble followed suit, completing their medical check-ins, swimming tests, and voice checks. Wooh! That’s a lot, but it keeps going! After some fun in the sun, it was time to freshen up, shower after the pond, and get dressed and ready for recital. If you don’t already know, recital is where staff and campers showcase their artistic and unique talent through a performance at five o’clock every day. Today our lovely counselor Mia, our talented CIT Kailamae, and former PEBCC Camp director and now voice teacher (the legend) Alice Del Simone performed for the campers with stunning vocal pieces to kick us off. Dinner was next and consisted of perfectly cooked Teriyaki chicken, white rice, broccoli, and a leafy spinach and arugula salad with cherry tomatoes. As always, the secondary options for non-meat eaters were delectable too. The first rehearsals came next, and we already cannot wait to hear what they’ll all sound like at the showcase on August 5th. Traditionally, we have our opening campfire next, where each camper finds a small stick, and shares what they’re most excited for about camp. Then they dedicate their twig to the fire, tossing them in, one after the other. Campfire is not only a time to visualize what the campers want to get out of camp, but it also gives them the opportunity to verbalize their thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding this life-changing 12-day journey they are about to embark upon.

Joyful voices made some wonderful memories already, and wasted no time diving right into the camp life and culture with the swim tests and rehearsal. Zoe S. and Chloe L. were “Pro-Return Campers,” according to them (and we couldn’t agree more). Everyone is making friends with each other and following rules effortlessly. The youngest of our campers have shown so much strength and tenacity, and it's really amazing to see. One of our campers Niyyah H., gave us probably our favorite quote of the day, saying, “I was so scared, but this is so much fun!!” We also celebrated a birthday today. Amara D-G. turned 9, and we were so honored to celebrate with her. She got a special birthday treat at lunch and another one at the campfire tonight with not one, but two birthday songs, one in English and the other, naturally, of course, in Estonian. It also gave our younger campers the opportunity to hear for the first time and learn our unique birthday songs that we love to sing. Happy Birthday Amara!!! :)

Today was incredible, and it feels so good to be back. We look forward to cultivating an experience that makes lifelong memories and fostering an environment that keeps singing and learning fun. It is our immense privilege to have your children with us to create beautiful and meaningful music; we are so excited to see what happens for the rest of camp and, of course… See you tomorrow!!!!!!