What a day! There are not enough words to describe how today went, but it was definitely a roller coaster!
We started off strong with check-in. Cars rolled in one after another, trunks popping open with duffel bags and pillows. Everyone met their counselors, learned their teams, and introduced themselves to their new best friends for the next 7 days. There was that unmistakable first-day buzz in the air, a mix of nervous energy and pure excitement, as name tags went on and cabin assignments were traced out on maps. We quickly grabbed our group photo, everyone squeezed in and grinning, and moved on to Quest, our camp-wide activity meant to build the team dynamics and get everyone acquainted with our staff and campus. Teams raced between stations, cheering each other on and picking up their first inside jokes of the summer along the way.
After Quest, we had our first Silver Lake dinner, tables full of laughter as campers compared cabin assignments and swapped stories about their trip to camp. Then came orientation, where we went over all the rules of camp, safety basics, and what to expect over the coming week. Finally, we had the Opening Ceremony, and what an opening it was! Adam and Sofya gave an incredible opening lecture about data privacy and how census data is provably private. Then, our amazing counselors performed a comedic skit that had the whole crowd cracking up, earning raving reviews from campers and staff alike. Lastly, our award-winning senior staff took the stage for their introductions, during which we had a camp first: the entire town of Sharon lost power, and we ended up with a flashlight-lit formal introduction to our staff and counselors. Beams of light bounced around the room as names were called out one by one, campers cheering and waving their own flashlights in the dark. It felt incredibly homely and somehow made the whole camp feel even better, one of those moments nobody planned, but everyone will remember.
We then went to the campfire to open the SigmaSpirit, the air we trapped last year at camp that holds the special feeling of Sigma. We opened it up with a bang and cheered for the week ahead.
The night ended with the first team time, where the campers shared their hopes and excitement for the week ahead by candlelight after enjoying some milk and cookies.
Everyone had a great first day, and if this is any indication of what's to come, we are in for an unforgettable 7 days. Here's to Day 2!