After the Cars Leave
At about 11:00 a.m. on Opening Day, something interesting happens at Falling Creek.
The parking lot is empty. The hugs are over. The last car has disappeared down Warrior Road. Parents are headed home wondering how their son is doing.
Meanwhile, camp is already moving.
Right away, boys gathered with their cabins for Morning Watch while counselors worked to match names with faces. New campers were already figuring out the best path to the Dining Hall. A few were wondering if they had made the right decision, but returning campers were quick to share advice and encouragement.
Stinson H. from Dallas, Texas, said, “I brought my stuffed animal, Lucky, with me. He’s named after my dog and he’s sitting on my bunk right now to help me anytime I need him.”
Hyde T. from New Orleans shared, “The thing that makes me feel safe and comfortable is my pajamas. Every time I put them on, they smell like home.”
Other campers, like Louis B. from Austin, Texas, were looking forward to dodgeball and football. At lunch, they even got to celebrate a new cabinmate’s birthday.
For many parents, the hardest part of camp starts when they leave. For campers, that is often when the adventure begins.
Counselor Austin from Montgomery, Texas said, ‘Camp is like coming home. A lot of life has been lived in this cabin over the years, and now we’re joining that story. It’s a spirit you can feel. Sure, it smells a little like dirt and old wood, but there’s so much to look forward to.’
Charlie S. from Augusta, Georgia, had a different take.
Camp smells like FUN!
During the afternoon, Yates and Marisa Pharr, Camp Owners and Directors, shared some advice with campers.
Work at making friends by choosing activities you can’t do anywhere else. That’s how you’ll find people who enjoy the same things you do.
Parents drove away that morning wondering how their sons would do.
A few hours later, boys are making friends, learning names, playing football, celebrating birthdays, and settling into cabins that have welcomed campers for generations.
For some parents reading this, these sights and sounds feel familiar. They remember the smell of a cabin after a summer rain, the walk to the Dining Hall, and the excitement of that first night at camp.
For others, this was their son’s very first Opening Day.
Wherever you find yourself, know that camp is doing what it has always done. One conversation, one meal, one game, and one friendship at a time, boys are beginning to find their place.
What’s Next + Where to Follow Along
Today marks our first full day of scheduled activities. From mountain biking to pottery, chess to climbing, every camper will begin finding their groove.
Daily photos will be uploaded by lunchtime each day via your CampInTouch account or the Campanion App. These galleries give a glimpse into life on the mountain. Not every camper, every day, but enough to follow the rhythm of the session.
Blogs will be posted each morning, usually around 9:30 a.m. Expect stories, reflections, and occasional guest posts from staff throughout the summer.
