WHAT A WEEK!

Week 1 Blog – June 14-19, 2026

by Ryan Holtz

What a week it has been at Spirit in the Pines for our first week of the summer! Between exciting competitions, rainy day traditions, and plenty of sweet treats, this week gave us plenty of memories that people will be talking about for a long time.

One of the biggest highlights came during Space Exploration. Where the most sought after prize was the jugs of APPLE JUICE. Congratulations to the Cana boys who won the apple juice and were served chilled not iced apple juice at the following breakfast.

Some history was also made this week as the very first campers of the summer took their turns down the new 13ft tall giant inflatable camp slide. The happy screams, laughs, and giant splashes made it clear that the slide could be the best new activity at camp.

The competition only grew when the olympics started, where the bread themed teams of Sourdough and Ciabatta rose to the occasion and won. Whether competing in events or cheering from the sidelines, campers brought incredible energy and team spirit all week long.

One evening, the chapel transformed into a concert, as campers sang their hearts out during karaoke night. From crowd favorites to some new songs, the enthusiasm and confidence made for one of the most memorable nights of the week.

The occasional rain shower couldn’t slow the camp down either. In fact, it brought back a fan favorite as Chapel Ball made its legendary return. The game quickly reminded everyone why it has become one of camp’s favorite indoor games.

And finally, a moment of silence for the canteen inventory, Oreo Drumsticks sold out almost instantly this week. We had to restock the canteen with them at least 6 or 7 times just to keep them on the shelves.

As the first week came to an end, we’re grateful for the laughter, friendships, and memories that continue to make Spirit in the Pines such a special place. We can’t wait to see what the next weeks bring!