For the weeks leading up to KAMP this year, we heard a lot of excitement from both kids. It was fun to get prepared and see the smiles grow. There was lots of speculating on who might be there and what we might do. We arranged for medical boarding for Maya at the ISU rehab unit. We really wanted to make sure she was in a safe environment while we were gone. She wasn't thrilled but she got to spend time in the pool on Friday and then hang in out the rehab unit for the weekend.
We arrived at Hidden Acres on Friday around 10:30am. We unloaded the massive groceries that we were responsible for buying to make the huge Korean meal on Saturday and chit chatted with some friends. We headed over for lunch at the dining hall - big surprise was the food was actually pretty decent considering it was cafeteria style and made for large groups. After lunch we were able to check into our room - a rustic hotel type room in the Inn. We had a queen sized bed for us and then bunkbeds for the kids. We actually had two sets of bunks so Paul took the top bunk on one and Lillie took the lower bunk on the other. We had our own bathroom which was a MUST for me!
We had a little downtime before the kids headed to their first session of classes. Paul had a great time playing with the walkie talkies with his friend Nicholas. We found out a month or so before KAMP that Nicholas and his family were moving out of state....luckily they will be close enough that they plan to come back for KAMP.
Paul and Nicholas in the lobby of the Inn. Having no fun at all.
The KAMPers have classes which start the summer before entering kindergarten...the littles get to hang out in the kids co-op. This year was just three co-op kids and they were all girls so they made sure the co-op had PINK shirts this year. Here's Lillie hanging with Nicholas's sister Kylie and our other friend Jacinda. Such cute ladies!
We took a walk before dinner to check out the grounds - Lillie loved picking flowers out of the grass!
Then it was time for the group photos.....co-op up first with their teacher Abbie (who also happens to be Kylie and Nicholas's mom).
Here's Paul's class. A motley crew for sure. Matt and Tess were excellent counselors for this group.
The whole group....that's a lot of KAMPers and counselors. We are so thankful for this KAMP family.
They were so kind to let the little girls "practice" the Korean fan dance....it was super sweet!
After dinner on Friday we headed to the pool for the KAMP pool party. It was pretty crazy in that indoor pool structure. Paul has really enjoyed swimming this year and likes to be thrown into the water......here's some of the fun and the crazy of the pool party.
There was a little screen time on Lillie's bunk......
And then it was off to the campfire.....big smiles!
Such an awesome fire.....great for roasting marshmallows.
We love Miss Theresa who was Paul's counselor last year.
S'mores face.....
......and then she busted out her s'mores dance!
Big rock on the way home from the campfire......
......means a big JUMP!!
Love these boys.
Selfie at breakfast on Saturday......
Some french toast love at breakfast.
Korean craft time during class.....awesome homemade plate with paper modge podged to the back.
Paul's friend Juliana who was in his class both last year and this year.
The kids in co-op got to make pretend bibimbop....this is the mix it, mix it, mix it part....too cute.
The parents all worked hard together to make a full Korean meal for our lunch on Saturday. A LOT of work but so worth it. The high school kids help the adults make the meal which is about 7 or 8 different dishes. Yummy food and great fellowship. The boys gave the meal 2 thumbs up.
More screen time with our friends. It was pretty hot outside so we let the kids have some air conditioned time with their friends sharing their screens.
We ran to the playground to run off some energy......
The highpoint of our Saturday afternoon was horseback riding for the kids. We took turns leading the kids around the ring on their horses.
The boys loved hanging at the horse ring.....
My awesome little KAMPers.
We got cleaned up and headed over to dinner. The ladies were oh so helpful pushing baby Noelle's stroller. At 10 weeks old, she was the youngest of our KAMP attendees.
Some Lego playing after dinner....so glad we brought a bag of Legos for the boys.
Then it was off to the KAMP carnival....the high school kids put this on every year for the younger kids. SO much fun for everyone with lots of fun prizes for the kids.
Oh, that face....love that kid.
This is Paul's counselor Matt....we all think they look SO much alike. Kind of fun to see what Paul might look like in 20 years.
"Fishing" at the carnival.
Here are some fun videos of Lillie enjoying the carnival. She was really confident and having fun at the carnival. It was fun to see her running around the gym on her own without needing us to walk with her. She is certainly growing up right before our eyes.
After the carnival they had a fun family movie night.....we let Lillie stay up until 9pm and Paul got to watch the whole movie and not go to bed until after 10pm. That is big stuff around our house.
Sunday arrived and we were all pooped out....Lillie dressed herself up with beads she had won at the carnival the night before. Love that girl.
The kids had to stay busy while we were packing up our rooms and cars. The girls decided to play in a bed.....LOTS of laughter and crazy times. Lillie was clearly functioning on just adrenaline.
Two ladies walking to lunch together. So sweet.
Sloppy joes for lunch....yes please!
The end of KAMP brings the parade of hanboks. How awesome that Lillie and Kylie had such similar hanboks. Here they are with Rachel who organizes the counselors and Korean class curriculum. Rachel is a rockstar.
And here is Paul in his Korean hanbok with his buddy Theresa.
The ladies of the co-op in their hanboks.
The boys waiting for the festivities to begin.
And then it was time for the tae kwon do demonstration. The boys got a front row spot.
Check out their moves.....
He broke a board with a side kick....I totally missed getting the video but he was so proud.
And then it was time to hit the road. One final hug and lots of goodbyes.
Here is our family poster from this year....hoping that next year I don't have to blank out Peter's face when I post this.
This was Paul's homemade plate.
And his homemade paper....this will be a framer.
This was the co-op project....fun picture frame for the year of the sheep.
I couldn't be happier with our KAMP experience this year. Both kids loved their time with friends. We loved our time with other adults walking the same path as our family walks. We are so blessed to have this opportunity right in our backyard. We feel so strongly about this organization that I even offered to be a board member....yeah for more time commitments! I am super excited for the opportunity to help craft future KAMP outings and the mission of this organization.
