A Long and Dusty Road

It’s another sun-burning blood-boiling morning at Singing Hills.  But this morning is different from all others as kids gather up for the most anticipated hike of the session.  Today is Blue Hole day.

Counselors round up their campers and count heads before heading off to the sweetest swimming hole on the Foundation property.  They descend to the river in a long procession, draping towels on their shoulders or heads to ward off the sun and carrying water bottles of all shapes and sizes.

Once across, they turn up the road that winds below canyon walls and through open fields, following the river upstream.  This is a prime opportunity for counselors to talk one-on-one with their campers about how their week is going, what they like or don’t like so far, and a host of other topics.  One counselor encourages his camper’s interest in books.

“When you get to college,” he says sagely, “you’ll get much more money for being smart than athletic.”

Up the road, another counselor is teaching three girls how to whistle using a blade of grass.  He puts the grass up to his lips and blows hard, only to have it fall apart in his hands.  The girls laugh.

Yes, this hike may be hot and difficult, but it’s well worth it to both campers and their counselors.  The promise of Blue Hole’s cool water and the fun to be had along the way make for one of the best camp experiences to be found anywhere.