It feels like just yesterday our girls were arriving in the Promised Land, dashing off their buses and into the welcoming arms of their closest friends and counselors. Yet, here we are, wrapping up our final TLC Times blog of the summer. In true departure-day fashion, we closed out these seven unforgettable weeks with the peaceful serenity of a sunrise over the lake, rays of sunlight stretching through the trees, illuminating our favorite spot on the hill. The girls woke early, teary-eyed but full of gratitude, leaving with hearts full of memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
During the final two weeks of camp, we watched in awe as our Seniors exemplified true leadership and dedication. The Senior 1s displayed remarkable skill and focus, making their hard work shine through in a stellar Sing Song. Congratulations to all for their beautiful singing, but especially to our Cubs, on their well-deserved win! Our Seniors also led the final Friday Evening Services, sharing moving speeches that left many in tears. And when the emotions of the day settled, they showed us that leaders and role models of camp can be silly and playful too. They quickly changed into matching outfits and pigtails for the Gym Show, where they applauded the many talented young gymnasts who left the audience thoroughly impressed. And of course in Senior fashion, they concluded the show with their own routines, bringing laughter and smiles to all of camp.
Speaking of matching outfits, the fun didn’t stop there! The girls slipped back into their whites and headed back to their Sing Song locations for one of the biggest surprises of the summer—Team Feast! Captains were filled with excitement (once the disorientation wore off) as they discovered their characters and transformed into costumes. The evening was all about bonding and celebration, as the teams shared a special dinner together, soaking in every moment after such a busy and rewarding summer.
Following another full day and moving into another string of exciting nights, the staff gave their all on stage, surprising everyone with their musical rendition of Mary Poppins! And, of course, our youngest campers weren’t about to be outdone. They took to the stage the very next night for our 8th and final musical of the summer, 101 Dalmatians, a performance that left the audience beaming with pride.
As the days wound down to our final nights together, we gathered for a cozy and intimate Banquet hosted by our Inter-Is. This year, they transformed the dining hall into a campsite, welcoming us to “2ABonfire.” We all enjoyed a s’mores mix, while bunkmates shared stories and laughter “around the campfire” at their tables. After dinner, we moved to the theater for Memory Night, a time to reflect on the beautiful journey we had shared this summer.
The camp experience culminated with Shield Night 2025, a celebration of the campers’ achievements, both big and small. Congratulations to the Giants for taking home the shield this year! What a fitting way to honor all of the growth, learning, and triumphs we’ve witnessed this summer.
As you hold your daughters this evening, we hope your homes have been filled with the stories and memories of this unforgettable summer. We are so proud of the Tripp Lake Spirit that has come to life through our campers and their actions over the last seven weeks. Our girls have formed friendships and shared experiences that will continue to guide them as they grow.
From the highest moments of joy to the challenges they faced, our girls have embodied values like loyalty, courage, respect, responsibility, and leadership. We know you share the pride we feel when we think of our girls and the women they are becoming. As they return to their everyday lives, outside this safe and sacred space where they can be their most authentic selves, our hope is that they remember who they are and the incredible potential they hold within them.
Though we wish camp could go on forever, and that our time here would never end, we know the true magic of this place is the way it lives on in our girls when they are away. Thank you for sharing your remarkable daughters with us and entrusting our staff with the honor of being a part of their growth and learning this summer. We cannot wait to see what next summer brings!
All our TLC Love,
The Tripp Lake Team
