Here I am, writing to you from my house in Illinois, less than 24 hours after returning home from Ballibay. After a nice long sleep and spending some time with my family, I realized that I had to write just one more entry here because I never really got the chance to properly finalize my thoughts on this summer.
I don't know if it was partially because I directed "Peter Pan" for the last three weeks (one of the most fantastical musicals ever written) or partially because Ballibay seems to be such a transforming, life-changing place, but I really feel like the only word I can use to sum up this entire summer is magical.
As a staff member, I can assure you that yes, there were definitely stressful aspects of the summer -- especially during the 3-week session when my head was constantly full of thoughts like, "How am I going to teach the music, blocking, choreography and lines of a full-blown musical to 22 children in approximately 20 days while also making sure I keep a cabin of 10-year-olds happy and loving each other and camp?" But when those thoughts started swirling through my head, all I had to do was sit on the hill for a moment, breathe in the refreshing country air, and glance over at any of the activity areas to see campers doing something they loved -- be it acting, singing, dancing, horseback riding, drawing, painting, hula-hooping, gardening, cooking, jamming out on their instruments, or just holding hands with their camp-best-friend who they'll have to wait an entire year to see again. That is the only thing I ever needed to stop those thoughts and remind myself that Ballibay always has been and always will be about the journey.
The summer was magical for a thousand different reasons. Our new food program was a journey in and of itself and it ended up being a smash hit, as well as a way for campers to really engage themselves in an area of camp that never used to be hands-on. The intensive and Farm Arts sessions infused a great mix of campers who brought special skills and talents with them to camp, thus expanding the artistic knowledge of all Ballibay campers. And all the campers themselves, per usual, were phenomenal children -- smart, funny, talented, passionate, witty, loving, thoughtful, and just generally enjoyable to be with.
Is it too premature to say that I hope to be back at Ballibay next summer? I don't think so.
Thank you for reading this summer. Much Balli-love to you and your campers.
More next summer,
Elizabeth C. (EC)
Ballibay Blogger
p.s. In case you were wondering..."Peter Pan" turned out better than I could have ever dreamed. I literally sat backstage and sobbed for 50% of the time, and the other 50% was spent laughing my head off with a combination of pride and joy. Enjoy some pictures!
My two tiniest, but definitely fiercest pirates! Delanie as Noodler (L), and Hope as Cookson (R)
Grace K. as Peter Pan and Grace F. as Tinkerbell. What incredible talent.
3 comments:
E.C. I love you so much! I will miss everyone and I want to send the best of wishes to everyone! This, I can say with certainty, has been my best year yet at Ballibay. With so much love my heart is bursting, Gracie Klinges
E.C. Bravo to you on your Balliblogging! You absolutely rocked at this. Speaking of returning to camp, I'm sure I speak for all when I say we hope that you return, and blog again! Have a great year.
Jay Friedman
Really REALLY great blogging this summer. You have such a gift for words and writing.. can't wait to read more next summer!! TO THE SHIP!!
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