The Cool2Care Tally:
- Thousands of “yes, pleases” proudly said during meals.
- Hundreds of examples of kids being welcoming to others.
- Many times, people have picked up trash that they hadn’t dropped.
- Several notes of praise for others placed inside the Cool2Care Cooler.
And that’s just one week at Skylemar.
This evening’s Spirit Night begins by honoring a camper who embodies Skylemar’s Cool2Care motto. It’s appropriate timing, because Spirit Night is when we gather together as one camp family, slow down the pace, and take the time to be grateful.
Tonight’s Cool2Care Chain was awarded to a camper who hasn’t had the easiest road since the beginning of camp. Although he’s fine now, he was in the Infirmary with a virus for at least three days. Nevertheless, he always had a smile on his face. He has a glass half-full attitude, and even wrote three notes of appreciation to the nursing staff during his stay. This 9-year-old camper taught us a lesson:
When you feel down, do for others and things will turn around.
In addition to The Chain, the recipient gets a jersey with his counselor’s college on the front. This signifies that life's successes are not just about yourself, but they are also about the positive role models you've encountered along the way. “Goshen College” was written across the front of this one.
Congratulations to Jacob K (Bunk 6), the first C2C chain recipient for 2023.
As the camp sat on the front lawn listening and participating in Spirit Night, you could feel the love of brotherhood. In fact, we’ve even become accustomed to greeting each other with a “secret” hand symbol. It’s middle-and-ring-finger down with the other three digits up, which in sign language means “I love you”.
Camp songs, popsicles and positive wishes for those at home who gave us the opportunity of Skylemar. We are the luckiest people in the whole wide world.
