Camp ASCCA Blog

This week has involved a lot less class time than these sixth-grade students from Drake Middle School expected. The rough weather brought on by Hurricane Irma led to Auburn City Schools closing Monday and Tuesday, and today, we have one group of students who are excited to stay out of the classroom for an extra day. A group was scheduled to visit Camp yesterday, but due to school cancellations, that will be rescheduled for a later date.

Over the weekend, the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association brought individuals from around the state for a weekend of therapeutic recreation. Groups began arriving to check-in at 4:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon, and campers immediately began reuniting with their friends that some have not seen since last year’s ARPA Camporee. Outdoor Education Director Cody Graham invited everyone in and presented them with a schedule showing a weekend full of events and that the dance was later that evening.

Today, on the second day of Drake Middle School field trips, the students, teachers, and parents arrived with an electric energy and motivation to make today the best day of the new school year. The students were split into six groups and participated in several ASCCA programs. Identical to day one, today’s schedule involved activities like swimming at the pool, sliding down the waterslide, riding the zip line, canoeing around Lake Martin, team building at group elements, and kickball at the ballfield.

Students from Auburn’s Drake Middle School will be visiting Camp over the next few days and next week as well for a field trip. Each day, a different sixth grade class will travel to Camp on charter buses for a day of ASCCA programs and team building. Today, we had our first group arrive, and they were ready for all the action ahead.

Campers brought the house down at last night’s dance! With the help of DJ Cody, they were rocking and grooving all night long. All week they’d been practicing their dance moves at different activities, and the night was finally here. They arrived dressed to impress and ready to tear up the dance floor!

Last night, campers were treated to an “End of the Summer” concert featuring rising, country star Riley Green! A true southern gentleman and as humble as they come, Green is from Jacksonville, Alabama. His love for music began as a young boy, when he’d spend a lot of time at his granddaddy Buford’s music hall. So far, Green has released three EP’s, his most recent one entitled “County Line” reaching the 14th spot on the iTunes Country chart!

On Tuesday afternoon, campers and counselors had the opportunity to visit a few free choice activities. The options were canoeing, horseback, pool, boat rides, and a cooking class. Many campers chose to visit the equestrian ring because this would be the only rotation of horseback for the week. Outdoor Education Director Cody Graham ran the horseback activity this week and was greeted by many campers throughout the two-hour round of free choice.

Last night’s talent show was definitely one for the books! Due to some wacky weather we weren’t able to have it at the new OutPost building, but the fun didn’t stop. After dinner, everyone gathered around in the dining hall to enjoy the hidden talents of their fellow campers. We had a plethora of singers and dancer, some comedians, and even a banjo player!

At the end of Session 6, Camp Director Matt Rickman was prepared to announce this year’s Judy Williams Scholarship recipient. On Friday, summer staff members met with Matt and the full-time staff to discuss the highs and lows of the summer, say farewell to a few staff members, and learn who would receive this year’s scholarship.

Our newest OutPost building has quickly become a favorite amongst campers and staff! Throughout the summer it’s been the ideal location for Talent Show Tuesdays, our first annual ASCCApalooza and even a few karaoke sessions. Another cool activity that everyone’s enjoyed here, is Hammocks and Music at the OutPost.

Campers and counselors splashed into the first night of Session 7 with our last pool party of the summer! We usually split the pool parties up between the first two nights, but since there’s fewer campers this week, everyone got to enjoy a night at the pool with all their friends.

This summer has flown by. Last year here felt like an eternity, and I miss that feeling this year. I am super glad I got to stay for an extra session this time, but it still isn’t enough time. To truly understand ASCCA, you have to experience it yourself.