Greetings from a Strong Rock Camp director and founder, Corie Himstedt, i.e. “Wrangler,” or as the campers like to call me, “Mrs. Rambo.” If you’ve been a Strong Rock family for a long time you likely haven’t heard from me very much over the past 20 years. I’m at the exit end of child-raising, and have been privileged to step into camp life on a much more full-time basis over these past couple of years. I love to connect with families, and regularly updating this blog is one of the ways I plan to do that.
Every year we do camp it feels a bit like we just took a short break and picked up where we left off last summer, though it’s been ten months. It’s been a great week at Strong Rock, full of familiar faces, some new ones, and a ton of fun and fellowship! Skill classes were in full swing last week and we took a short break from them over the weekend to camp out (yes it DEFINITELY rained!), to hang out as cabin groups, have church together, and to start another week of skill classes. I personally spent a great deal of time at the barn, as that’s my gig and I always like to make sure our riding staff have the hang of how to run it safely and that it’s fun! That’s especially true when all four staff out there are new and there are four new horses in the herd as well. (I’ll try to post what a neat God story that one is at a future time.)
As a director, and a mom, I want to say that I’m really happy these campers have been here this session. I have a lot of reasons to believe camp can be a significant part of a child’s growing and developing years, and it’s certainly not lost on me that it’s a huge act of faith on the part of the parents! I very much look forward to sharing more thoughts and facts about Strong Rock Camp in posts to come. (Also, I wish everyone could hear the joyful and silly singing going on currently on the outside porch. It’s an awesome sound!) I’m off to check out some skill classes. Keep watching for your camper in photos and in the ones from the final Tribal Council ceremony that will happen Thursday night. Campers who have leveled up as part of the skill class merit system will be recognized at that time, as well as ones who are chosen for skill class awards by their instructors.
Have a blessed day!