Today went by so quickly, I can hardly believe it happened. Suddenly we’re over halfway through the week. There’s no way I’ll be ready to say goodbye to these boys in two short days, and I’m sure they feel the same way.
The day was packed full of fun but no actual field time. Even though they didn’t play baseball today, the boys had a blast. We celebrated Christmas in July all day long, starting with decorating a tree during group huddle in the morning and lasting through a gift game and Christmas music right before bed.
The main event of the day was the annual Curve game – a minor league baseball team that plays about an hour away. For at least one boy, the excitement started with the bus ride there; he had never been on a charter bus before (“It has TVs!”). Kids and coaches alike enjoyed the all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, and cookies we had at the stadium before the game. The boys even got to run out on the field with the players, get a baseball signed, and stand with them for the national anthem.
For many of our new campers, this was the first time they’ve been to a professional baseball game. All of the boys seemed hooked for the whole game this year; no one wanted to get up and wander around. They were laser-focused on the field – except for when they could get soaked by a giant hose or water guns between innings, of course.
It was water day both at the Curve stadium and at camp. After dinner, the boys practiced their sliding on a huge slip-n-slide. Many of the coaches and staff joined in, some more willingly than others. I can’t even tell you how many times I raced different campers down the tarp, sliding as fast and far as we could. It was super fun.
Today was the perfect day to celebrate Christmas because it felt like a family day. From morning until night, we laughed and talked and had fun together. Many of these boys don’t get to spend days like this with family at home, so it was awesome getting to share new experiences with them today. I know I had a great time, and I think the kids would say the same.
