Yesterday was Visiting Day at Camp Starlight and it was a real pleasure to be part of such a special day for both campers and their families.  Campers came to breakfast bubbling with excitement, something fueled further still by a good Camp Starlight sing-a-long in the Rec Hall before friends and families arrived.

The gates to camp opened just after 10am and a constant stream of cars processed down the driveway for well over an hour.  At 11am the tape dividing the parking lot and the main campus was taken down and loved ones literally ran to meet their children at their bunks.  Massive smiles, huge hugs and lots of kisses ensued.  There was time to meet the counselors who have had the pleasure of being with the campers for three weeks already, but the day was very much about families being together again.

We were so lucky to have a perfect sunny day and many chose to stay close to the waterfront – who could blame them with that perfect view?  Some had bought picnics and others took advantage of the barbeque lunch on offer.  It was a time to chat and unwind and just enjoy each other’s company.  The more energetic were able to take advantage of the facilities at camp and play tennis, basketball, softball or volleyball, or for a more sedate activity take out a rowboat or go for a motor boat ride.  Gymnastics exhibitions and an art gallery ran in the Carriage House with a Starlight Playhouse Review and a dance show taking place later in the day.  All 2,000 visitors were then surprised with the first ever Starlight flashmob – “Hello” everyone!

The day drew to a close with the 65^th Anniversary Directors’ Reception with probably the biggest display of cupcakes you have ever seen.  Decorated with everything from Teddy Graham Crackers to Oreo cookies and jellybeans, there was one to suit everybody’s tastes.  4pm came around far too quickly and before we knew it the announcement was made that visitors should make their way back to their cars.  Of course it was hard to say goodbye after such a perfect day, but it was with the knowledge that Camp Starlight really is one of the best places on earth to spend the summer.

Tags: sleepaway camp visiting day, visiting children at camp, visiting day at summer camp, visiting kids at camp

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