I hope this captured all of my fellow Camp Swatara peeps’ attention! And if you are not one of my fellow Camp Swatarians, that’s fine, this story will STILL have an impact on you if you know me even just a little bit!
Okay, so this is the first summer since 2009 that I have not been at Camp Swatara in some capacity.
It has been SO hard not being there!
One of the week’s I especially look forward to is Monarch 2 week. It is the camp that I had directed the previous 5 years to this summer. It is a camp we offer to adults aged 16 and older with disabilities to come enjoy camp for a week.
It is ALWAYS one of my favorite weeks of the summer. Monarch 2 happened the last week of June and I wasn’t there. Leaving for the Race, I knew that the summer months would hit me the hardest with not being home/at Camp Swatara. Fortunately, I was so busy that week that I didn’t even realize that it happened; therefore, was not sad all week!
Anyway, the last night of Monarch Camp (we host 3 total every summer), is always the “Monarch Birthday Party!” It is the best night of the week! The campers sit at tables by their birthday month and are served the dinner like they are at a restaurant. Then, we sing “Happy Birthday'” to everyone and everyone gets a sweet treat like a cookie or a cupcake! After that comes THE DANCING – which is the best part of the party and enjoyed by ALL!
LAST NIGHT I attended a Monarch Birthday Party in Macedonia!
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW FULL MY HEART WAS and STILL IS TODAY!
We were invited to a birthday party for 2 people. We met a bunch of adults with disabilities. We ate, sang/played them songs, had cake, and WE DANCED! Flashbacks of the past several summers ran through my brain has we danced around with everyone! It was amazing and everything I could have ever wanted from the evening! I even gained a friend and a killer dance partner, you’ll see pictures of us below!
Thank You Jesus for knowing my heart so well and where my passions lie! We were invited to go back again (they meet twice a week so I really hope it happens!)
My dance partner! She also kissed me on the cheek twice! So sweet!
Group selfie time!
One more with my new friend!
