A Good Gathering

Well, would you look at that.

It happened again. 

We had another lovely time at our annual Winter Gathering.

For all of you valued Camp Family members who couldn't attend due to busy December schedules, long distances to travel, and other such valid concerns, we present for you a virtual Winter Gathering.

Once you scroll through all these pictures, you'll certainly feel like you were right here with us.

So, without further ado (because we all know how we feel about ado): 

Winter Gathering!

One of our very favorite days of the year!

Well, all the days of Summer Camp are actually our very favorite days of the year.

But Winter Gathering is definitely, undisputably our 55th favorite day of the year.

Because Camp friends are here to reunite!

Families are here to gather 'round the fire!

(What's better than gathering at the Gathering 'round the fire?)

There was the big board of new sessions and classes for 2017!

And, of course, our Campfire Council was here to run the craft tables!

Ohh. What a festive and campy ornament. 

Yes, we had holiday crafts of all varieties.

Including, of course, this Camp standard.

See!?

As advertised.

Tree Cookie ornaments.

Some of last summer's JR. Counselors were even on hand to help out.

The craft tables were bustling!

Because they had migrated north for the Winter...

All the way up from their home in the Craft Shop...

(Where it would have been kinda cold...)

To the Dining Hall.

(Where it kinda wasn't.)

Yes, all of our signs were accurate!

We had conversation topics!

And cookies! Delicious cookies.

To decorate,

Enjoy,

And decorate all over again.

And this sign was accurate too!

For with any donation to our Campfire Council's Campership fund...

Our Gathering guests...

Got to make their very own...

Camp Angel Ornaments...

To decorate our Wishing Well. 

And through the whole event, 

We enjoyed some good decorations...

Some good conversation...

Good snacks,

Good smiles, 

And good...

Quality time...

With family,

Camp family,

And some good companions...

We haven't seen since summer time.

We even had...

A traditional Camp birthday celebration.

That just so happens to fall on Winter Gathering...

Every single year.

And then!

Decorating time.

Where those well-crafted ornaments...

Make their way outside...

To take their place on the tree.

Our designated ladder-climbing-ornament-hanger counts of this job every December.

And then!

Time to throw the big switch!

Time for the main event!

Time to light the tree!

The countdown commences...

The switch is thrown...

And, ta-da!

Our old Camp lights still work!

And the Gathering Tree is lit.

For while there are taller trees at Camp...

And older trees on Camp...

And there may be trees that offer more summer shade on Camp...

There are certainly not...

...More ILLUMINATED trees on Camp.

And for tonight, at least...

No trees on Camp...

Offer a better photo opportunity. 

And then the night drew to a close.

On the way out...

Folks were sure to stop by our Gratitude Wall...

To view...

And add to...

The list...

Of what our Camp Family...

Was thankful for...

On this December day.

(Yes. That's you.)

And then...that was it.

Except, of course, for the fact that when you've constructed ornaments this good, and this campy...

It's not enough to simply put them up on the tree.

You've also got to send Sean back up the ladder (to the very top) to take them off again...

So you can be sure to take a little bit of our Winter Gathering...

...home with you.

And that was our Gathering!

If you were there, thank you for joining us!

And if you weren't there, after all those pictures we now certainly hope that you feel like you were.

Since Winter Gathering has come and gone, that means that ENROLLMENT FOR SUMMER 2017 IS NOW OPEN!


Be sure to sign up before the end of the month to get your Polar Bear Discount.