After months of waiting and waiting and a little more waiting, we were honored to open our new gates to welcome in our campers back home. It took loads of time, patience, and a whole lot of Heart to make the vision come to life. Before our campers arrived, our counselors spent over two weeks training to be the best they could be to take care of our incoming Heart girls. Our summer motto has been “New Hill but the Same Heart.” which is what we’re leading by. 

As we welcomed the campers home, it clicked for everyone on the staff that all the time and hard work was all worth it. Seeing all the campers run around with their new cabins, laugh with their friends, and eager to do every little thing brought life back to our community. Something that has always rang true is that the campers are what makes the camp experience what it is.  Finally, we are Home, all together, and intertwined through sisterhood. 

After parents dropped their campers off, we held a dance party in our brand new Heart Hall where girls were reunited with their friends. Head Staff met the girls there to introduce safety procedures so we can ensure that every girl here knows what needs to be done in the event of an emergency. Our staff has studied, trained, and risen to an impressive level of responsibility, making sure that they know all of the appropriate safety protocols to protect every camper here. 

For our evening activity, we had our traditional Opening Ceremonies where we welcomed our new Heart girls into either The Powerful Sisterhood of the Thunderbirds or The Strong Sisterhood of the Crossed Arrows. We were honored to welcome back our returning T-Birds and Crossed Arrows and welcome in our newest ones. 

Here are the results from Opening Ceremonies:

B, Spencer - P-Bird

D, Ashley - P-Bird

F, Paige - S-Arrow

G, Charlotte - P-Bird

H, Livvy - S-Arrow

H, Quinn - P-Bird

H, Leighton - P-Bird

K, Hannah - P-Bird

L, Ellie - S-Arrow

L, Caroline - S-Arrow

L, Victoria - S-Arrow

M, Ashlynn - P-Bird

M, Millie - P-Bird

M, Immy - P-Bird

M, Grace - S-Arrow

M, Mary Nell - P-Bird

M, Stella - P-Bird

R, Reagan - S-Arrow

R, Kaitlynn - S-Arrow

S, Clare - S-Arrow

W, Genevieve - P-Bird

W, Evangeline - P-Bird

Afterwards, we collectively gathered at the top of the hill to see a fire Camp Stewart had lit in a heart shape to welcome Heart girls home at our new property here at 1340. We ended our night with a few camp songs and taps. Counselors led campers to their cabins and put them to bed to rest up for an eventful day ahead!

Here’s to an incredible summer ahead, filled with laughter, friendship and endless possibilities!