Happy Independence Day! Yesterday we celebrated the fourth. The celebration began after breakfast. We gathered around the flag pole outside of the Dining Hall and said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the Star Spangled Banner. Next in Chapel, the Adventure Pathfinders read parts of the Declaration of Independence and quotes by famous Americans. Some of the quotes included:
“I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope, never fear.” -Michelle Obama
“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” -MLK
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” -Theodore Roosevelt
We sang two patriotic songs during the service: God Bless America and This Land is Your Land. However, when one of our homestead friends was upset that not all of our patriotic songs were included in chapel, some of our staff members led the Dining Hall in two more at dinner. They began with America the Beautiful. During the second song, Battle Hymn of the Republic, two staff members ran around the Dining Hall with an American flag. By the end of the song almost everyone was marching around their tables. It was a great end to dinner.
At night, after free time, we held a Fourth of July carnival on the beach. Once every group had arrived an opening skit took place. It began with Oliver, our Boy’s Homestead Leader, reading the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. But then the golf cart came racing down to the beach, and Alec, the Craft Shop Director, let the beach know the British are coming! The British then charged in with black hats and water balloons. The British included our Camp America staff who hail from the UK or Australia and a few American staff members. At the same time, a group of staff members who had been hiding in canoes by the dock for over half an hour, ran to the beach with water balloons. The Americans and the British then had a big water balloon fight. Out on the bay, two waterfront staff – Kevin and Stephen, drove back and forth on a boat holding a huge American flag. The battle ended with an American victory, as the British were chased off, and the head red coast, British Prep Cook Rachel, was locked up by Oliver. Everyone on the beach cheered throughout, chanting U S A!
Following the skit, the carnival began. Staff members served food: funnel cakes, watermelon and snow cones. And there were games galore. There was ring toss, darts, corn hole, ladder golf, football throw, and more. Two of the most popular stations were ski ball and face paint. Right after campers got their faces painted, they could get their picture taken at the photo booth next door. The night concluded with the Dewey firework show from across the bay. Groups sat together on the dock to watch the sky light up across the bay. It was an awesome conclusion to a day filled with patriotic fun.
With joy (and a little extra patriotism) from Homestead way,
Maddie S. (the Mail Lady) & Bethany (the Chapel Lady)
“I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope, never fear.” -Michelle Obama
“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” -MLK
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” -Theodore Roosevelt
We sang two patriotic songs during the service: God Bless America and This Land is Your Land. However, when one of our homestead friends was upset that not all of our patriotic songs were included in chapel, some of our staff members led the Dining Hall in two more at dinner. They began with America the Beautiful. During the second song, Battle Hymn of the Republic, two staff members ran around the Dining Hall with an American flag. By the end of the song almost everyone was marching around their tables. It was a great end to dinner.
At night, after free time, we held a Fourth of July carnival on the beach. Once every group had arrived an opening skit took place. It began with Oliver, our Boy’s Homestead Leader, reading the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. But then the golf cart came racing down to the beach, and Alec, the Craft Shop Director, let the beach know the British are coming! The British then charged in with black hats and water balloons. The British included our Camp America staff who hail from the UK or Australia and a few American staff members. At the same time, a group of staff members who had been hiding in canoes by the dock for over half an hour, ran to the beach with water balloons. The Americans and the British then had a big water balloon fight. Out on the bay, two waterfront staff – Kevin and Stephen, drove back and forth on a boat holding a huge American flag. The battle ended with an American victory, as the British were chased off, and the head red coast, British Prep Cook Rachel, was locked up by Oliver. Everyone on the beach cheered throughout, chanting U S A!
Following the skit, the carnival began. Staff members served food: funnel cakes, watermelon and snow cones. And there were games galore. There was ring toss, darts, corn hole, ladder golf, football throw, and more. Two of the most popular stations were ski ball and face paint. Right after campers got their faces painted, they could get their picture taken at the photo booth next door. The night concluded with the Dewey firework show from across the bay. Groups sat together on the dock to watch the sky light up across the bay. It was an awesome conclusion to a day filled with patriotic fun.
With joy (and a little extra patriotism) from Homestead way,
Maddie S. (the Mail Lady) & Bethany (the Chapel Lady)
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