Lots of Campers Keeping In Touch

Lots of Campers Keeping In Touch

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - Are you ready yet? We are!

The best news of the week is that Claire Kelly starts work on Friday as our intern so now if you want to talk with her just call us at camp. We're also seeing a lot of Katy Robb these days and Kristy Pannill and Corbin Aiken signed back up to be on staff this summer. It's going to be a great year for staff!

From the Mailbag:

We?ve heard from a lot of you; it's always our favorite email to see. Kelly J. wrote a tome saying, "I can't stop day dreaming about camp! Being in Sunnyside is something I have been imagining ever since my first year, and NOW our year is finally here! My little sister Emily and I have already made up a new Seminole song which I sang to Lee B and Claire P over the phone and they loved it! We have been talking NON STOP about all of our plans for this summer! Calling, emailing, facebooking, texting, everything! It's going to be one of the best summers of my life. Maybe THE best. Laura S and I went to see Aubrey H's ballet performance, the Nutcracker. She was the wind up doll, a snow flake, and one of the Arabian dancers (and an understudy for the main Arabian girl) She was Amaxing. Laura and I haven't seen her since camp and I almost cried when I saw her up on stage. She didn't know we were coming, so when she came out of the dressing room after the show, she screamed when she saw us. I love re-uniting with my Merri-Mac sisters! I'm pretty positive that these are the best friends I've ever had and will ever have. We've all decided that we will keep in touch until we...well...die!" Jillian C. wrote saying her "high school football team won state championships for the first time ever. I got the letter, I am definitely going to camp for 8 weeks again. YEAH!" Next, Kate M. shares, "I'm so excited because on December 19, at exactly 12:22pm Rachel J is coming to Orlando to stay with me for a couple of days! I'm so excited for camp already and when I go up to snowboard in North Carolina this winter I know I'm going to drive past camp and wish I was there!" Ironically our next email was from Rachael who shares Kate's excitement about camp. "Hey guys! I'm unbelievably excited about this summer... I miss everyone so much! I just wanted to let y'all know that I'm going to visit Kate M. in Orlando before Christmas, so if anyone else is down there give us a call so we can hang out! Love you and miss you, and I hope you're all having a great school year!"

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - First, Last, and Always...

Winter is here but summer's coming, and in preparation we are busy hiring back your favorite staff. In addition to a gaggle of nurses and hostesses we?ve had lots of counselors sign up to come back, including Brie Owens, Patti-O, Claire Kelly, Anna Woodson, Kate Miller, Marissa Storms, Kay Robb, Jill Gironelli, Dorrie Garner, Ann Gironelli, Kelsey Tennyson, Katie Robb, Emily France, Anna Merritt, Leah Stallings, Ally Howard, Haley Fulford, Natalie Brouwer, Anna Fearheily, Merilee Betz, Liza Harvey, Lindsay Lanskey, Lauren Wheeler, Jamie Powell, Autumn Wheeler, Norie Gingrich, Abby Glackin, Christina Hall, Sarah Rogers, Michelle Ravish, Sarah Hord, Lauren Stelley, Morgan Ensor, Maddie Simmons, Chelsea Dougherty, Jess Evans, Mary Elizabeth Lago and Kendall Anderson. Even more importantly, there are about 10 of last year's girls who have promised to say yes or know in December of January so keep tuned in for updates.

From the Mailbag:

Rachel S. wrote to say, "Hey everybody! I miss camp so much! Can't wait to everyone again! Say hi to the horses for me!" The horses are all in winter homes, but we have word that they're kicking down their barns to get back to Merri-Mac. We also heard from Katy Robb. "Hey girls! Just stopping by to say Happy Thanksgiving and so excited for next summer! 226 days till second session starts!" And for all you second session girls, Princess Emily writes, "Hey ya'll! School year is going well. I've had some ups and downs, but knowing that camp is getting closer brings me comfort. I cannot wait to see everyone. I love and miss ya'll." Finally, Cameron L. writes, "188 DAYS! I Can't wait. Love you all so so much!"

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - Who misses camp? ME!!!

There is lots of winter excitement around camp this week. Something about the holidays makes people think of summer, so we're hearing from more campers, and even more staff. Katy Robb (the older) is visiting this weekend. She's promised to let us know whether she can return to camp by next Tuesday, so give her a call and talk her into it if you can!

We're also beginning to make plans for the upcoming staff reunion. Anne Archer and Claire Kelly are taking the lead on putting this together. At last count we had about 30 people set to attend. It should be a great, though probably cold, weekend!

In other news, we're building a new cabin for married housing. It is by the old chimney behind the archery range. It is going to have a great view from the front porch. The tough thing is naming it. Any ideas?

From The Mailbag

Maggie Taylor wrote saying, "Wow just looking at the webpage makes me miss camp immensely! I miss seeing all you beautiful girls with smiles that add sweet sunshine to my day. So I know it is still November, but we put up our Christmas tree today. Since my sister and I will be going home during Christmas holidays, we decided to put up the tree now to get as much holiday decorating time as possible!" >From Katie Robb (the younger) we hear "My homecoming dance is tonight and I'm really excited, just got my hair done and everything! I miss everyone so much and counting down the days till next summer, love you all!" Homecoming should be easy after Rockmont! Rachel S. wrote to say, "Hey y'all! I miss camp so much! It's already starting to snow some here in KY. It never really sticks, but man is it COLD! I can't wait for summer. It seems so far away! I can't wait to go to camp for a whole month. Tonight my academic team has a tournament and tomorrow I try out for all district band! Wish me luck!" Finally, Jillian C. shared, "I miss camp so much. So far this year I have gone to this leadership forum on national security. It was really eye-opening. I can't wait until June. I have to miss some camp because my school is weird and gets out really late. But I still can't wait until summer for Sunnyside year."

We can't wait either.

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - but we're pining for summer!

It has finally gotten cold at camp and we are hoping for a little more snow this year. Maybe we'll even get some for the upcoming staff reunion after Christmas. Either way it is sure to be a cold visit for the staff coming. It's funny that when things get cold people start thinking about camp. We've heard from a lot of you but our favorite bit of news is that both Brie Owens and Anna Woodson both signed up to be back on staff this summer.

From The mail bag

Sammy G. wrote to say, "I'm totally camp sick! I made my school soccer team so I'm pretty excited about that! I can't wait any longer for camp to start back up again in the summer, but we still have like 7 more months! UGH! Well, I can't wait till then!" Emily M. feels the same way. "I am SO camp sick! I am on the computer at school every morning watching videos, reading smoke signals. I wish it were summer already! I'm counting the days!" Meg M. picked up on the same theme. "I'm so camp sick already, my friends are already annoyed with all my talk about Merri-Mac! Our volleyball season ended about a month and a half ago but I made a travel team which will start soon and I'm playing lacrosse. I miss everyone so much; I can't wait till this summer." Finally, Lee B. chimed in saying, "I have been talking like crazy with all of my Seminole girls about this summer! I have seriously been waiting for this all my life and it's going to be the best ever. You all are always in my thoughts and I miss you so much! I am so jealous that some of you live near camp and get to visit! I have been having lots of dreams about camp and it's making me so sad! I am totally camp-sick! My life is going well, I am so busy with school and getting ready for track and lacrosse seasons but I am loving it! Its already really cold up here in Connecticut, I am so jealous of all my southern girls! Well, I love camp and all of you girls so much! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I could fast forward and be with all of you!"

We feel the same way!

From this Haven...

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - Your Merri-Mac Community in November!

We're back on the road seeing more camp families. Monday night we were in Atlanta with Carlin S. and Thursday night we will be back for a Merri-Mac reunion at The Chastain Horse Park at 6:30. Everyone is invited so please come and bring a friend. You can find directions at http://chastainhorsepark.org/directions.php.

We've been getting lots of requests from campers looking to buy Merri-Mac gifts for friends and I think we?ve found something that will fit the bill. Madison and Nick AmRhein's parents have begun a new jewelry business and are offering some wonderful Merri-Mac and Timberlake designs. You can see them at www.steelxpressions.com.

From the Mail Bag!

The AmRheins also shared that they are in new schools and a Marching Band. It's been a busy fall for them! Mary Page Boyd is also in a new school where she sees Brianna D. and Alli B. every day. Chelsea D. wrote to say, "Hey Merri-Mac family! I miss you all so much! The college process is in full swing for me, and I am anxiously waiting to hear back from Wake Forest. If all goes as I pray it will, I will be back at camp this summer to be a JC. Best wishes to everyone in school this year J" Finally, Emily M. also wrote saying, "It's only October and I'm already camp sick! I have one of my friends coming to Merri Mac next year, and she's very excited. Singing is still going well, I have the talent show tomorrow! Wish me luck!" Isn?t it more lucky to say "break a leg" in show business? Either way we?re sure you?ll do great.

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - We love those smiling Merri-Mac faces!

This morning camp woke to its first snow of the season. It was a light dusting but still a beautiful promise of things to come. By way of other promises, we're making good progress hiring back staff for next summer. We'll give a full list next week but one thing we can't wait to share is that after taking last year off Norrie Gingrich is coming back to teach guitar!

From the Mailbag:

Griffin C. and her family went to Pigeon Forge for Fall Break and spent an evening at the Dixie Stampede where Griffin recognized Merri-Mac friend, Whitney Coles as one of the star riders in the show! They shared a great big Merri-Mac hug and chatted about life for a few minutes after the show! Cool Merri-Mac moment for both! Actually, Whitney is their head trick rider after many years as a Merri-Mac rider and diver. Cameron L. wrote saying, "Helloooo Merri-Mac! Grrr I miss camp so much it's ridiculous! This year my camp dreams have started several months early which is just really annoying because we still have around 7.5 months until first session! But oh no worries, I'm still excited. I'm already doodling the Sunnyside lyrics in my notebooks. Can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces soon(ish), but for now you're all in my dreams!" Bailey W. gets this week's camp commitment award for saying, "I got invited to go to Europe over the summer, but it was during the same time as camp so..... I turned it down! I wouldn't miss camp for anything!" Finally, from across the Atlantic Samantha P. wrote, "Everything is going great with me, school has gone so quickly, I'm already on half term. I'm missing everyone so much! Everyone over here is already in love with camp. I have people asking if they can come next year! I'm playing hockey at school and it is really fun. Unfortunately I am in the 5ths which means I don't get matches against other schools, but training is still fun."

Drop us a line and tell us what you are up to.

From this Haven...

Adam and Ann

Merri-Mac, ever after...

Merri-Mac, ever after...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

IMAGE CAPTION - We'll remember you!

Good Morning All You Merri-Mac Girls!

We've gotten to see a lot of Merri-Mac girls lately. Adam just returned from a fantastic trip to Florida, where he got to see lots of campers, and Mary Page and Ann just returned from Atlanta where they got to spend a couple of days with Amelia, Patti, Allen and Connor K. MP's bagpipe band was competing in the Stone Mountain games and Amelia and Patti came out to join the fun. Amelia is playing basketball and especially enjoying Spanish in school. We included a picture - doesn't she look great? It was great to see them. We've also started talking to the staff and even hired a few back for next summer. Now is the time for that sort of thing, so if you have any favorite counselors that you really want back, you should email them to tell them to give us a call.

From the Mail Bag:

Sarah S. wrote to say, "Hi everyone! I got to see Amelia W. a few weeks ago at one of her field hockey games. High school is way boring, and I'm so camp sick!" Also, Rachel L. emailed saying, "Well I've been really busy with my junior year and volleyball! My team is 2nd in our district which means we get to play in tournament. I just wanted to say that I'll try and visit and come to the Princess Party because after all I love Merri-Mac and all you guys too much to stay away!" Katie R. also shared, "Last night I went to one of the home shows at Kaitlyn's house from first session. It was really fun to see the second session girls (Savannah S. and Sofia B.), and I met a lot of first session girls too! It was great to see how many camp people live in Florida so we can hang out and get excited for camp year round." Finally, from Emily M. we have word, "I have made the school talent show! Out of 95 people, there were only 15 slots, and I made it. I will be singing "Listen" by Beyonce Knowles. I'm so excited!" Congratulations Emily.

Beyond that we are busy meeting new staff and campers. Some of our sessions are already full, and others are filling quickly, so if you have not enrolled ask your parents to call right away.

From This Haven...

Great Camping!

Adam and Ann