Hi Juniors Families,
How can it be that we are already here, with only two weeks left of camp?! As we move into the final stretch of summer, we’re feeling so proud of all the ways your daughters have grown - individually and together. From early morning races to flagpole to evening star gazing, the Juniors have filled every moment with warmth, curiosity and fun. I’m so happy to share a few of the highlights from their week.
One of our favorite events of the week was Birthday Night - a beloved Romaca tradition that ensures every camper feels celebrated, no matter when their birthday falls. While our summer girls are lucky enough to have their special day marked at camp, Birthday Night is a way for everyone to be included in the joy. Dressed in the colors of the seasons, the Juniors jumped into the spirit of the night with laughter and excitement. We played all sorts of fun games, sang our newly learned seasonal song, and gathered for a beautiful dinner complete with FOUR different birthday cakes to choose from (a definite highlight for many of our girls!).
Something that continues to amaze me is how naturally the Juniors pick up new traditions and songs - how quickly they learn them, love them, and then make them their own. These become more than just melodies and moments - they become little memory markers, wrapped in friendship and joy. It’s so touching to hear the girls say things like, “Remember when we were doing x, y, z and the Romrecers taught us this song?” or “my camp sister was telling me about this event and when she got to do it as a Junior”. Those little moments of shared nostalgia, already forming at such a young age, remind us just how deep and meaningful their camp experiences truly are.
We danced the night away at Cliff Broduer this week. Think line dancing, cowboy boots and country music. Dressed in their flannels and braids, the girls learned some old fashioned dance steps, laughed until their cheeks hurt, and made some of the happiest memories of the summer so far. The Australian staff brought out the Nutbush dance that we taught the campers during International Day earlier in the season - I was SO happy that some of our juniors remembered the dance and joined in with us!
For our horse loving campers, a particularly meaningful moment was the Romaca Horse Show. After weeks of caring for and riding their horses, the girls were able to show off the progress they’ve made. Whether it was their first trot or a confident maneuver, every girl shone with pride. The girls cheered each other on and all walked away beaming with their bright ribbons proudly attached to their shirts for all to see.
This week also brought some incredible opportunities for the girls to build confidence and hone their skills. During our Soccer Camp and Cheerleading Camp, led by visiting professionals in their fields, the girls played with heart, and reveled in the joy of working as a team. Whether it was learning a new cheer or kicking their first goal, we saw so many proud moments unfold on the fields and in the storytelling afterwards.
While we usually like the rain to hold off, the juniors were very happy with a rainy day afternoon allowing us to jump into the ever-entertaining Miss Romrec event! This is a much loved event where the younger campers are assigned a Romrec camper to transform into pageant ‘contestants’. From choosing outfits to choreographing performances, the Juniors brought creativity, imagination, and so much joy to the process. The final show was filled with giggles and cheers as each Romrec contestant sparkled under the spotlight, proudly supported by her team.
Beyond these big moments, the quiet joys of summer camp have been as meaningful as ever - sleeping bag parties, spontaneous sneak outs, pillow forts and story telling circles. These little things are often what the girls reminisce on the most, and those we promise to fill the final days of the summer with.
While Departure Day fast approaches, it’s a very bittersweet feeling. Having been through the experience before, I unfortunately know the emptiness that is to come when your girls leave. However, I feel blessed to have had the privilege of sharing in the magic of Romaca with them this summer. And the magic that we still have to look forward to. Tomorrow our Juniors will step into a world of pixie dust and adventure in this year’s play, Peter Pan. We can’t wait to see their hard work and courage take the stage. We’re also counting down to Deb’s Carnival, a colorful camp fair full of games, treats, and traditions; a cozy campout under the stars with s’mores and campfire songs; and a very special Grandparents Visiting Day. I look forward to updating you on another wholesome week next week filled with fun and friendship.
Warmest,
Amber xo