Our final full day of camp was packed with fun, laughter, and heartfelt moments — a true Cheerio classic from sunrise to sunset.
We kicked off the morning with a hearty breakfast of French toast, sausage, and fresh fruit. It was the perfect fuel for a big day ahead — especially for our adventurous campers heading out on a canoe trip to the river right after breakfast. Paddles in hand, they set off ready to explore, while the rest of camp dove into a spirited morning kickoff.
Back at camp, a hilarious rap battle between staff and campers set the tone (and got lots of laughs) as we introduced the morning’s main event: THRIVE! After breakfast, campers returned to their cabins for cleanup and to gear up in their team colors. Big congratulations to the Seminole, Pawnee, Apache, Mohican, Arapahoe, and Choctaw cabins for having the cleanest cabins today!
Soon after, the whole camp gathered at the field to review rules and expectations for THRIVE — a fast-paced, water balloon-soaked team game that had everyone on their feet. From racing to snag team flags, to defending the queen with water balloons, to hunting for hidden melons in the woods, the game was filled with energy and excitement. In the end, it was Red Team who took the victory!
We followed up all that action with a sunny cookout lunch — burgers, chips, and smiles all around — before taking a well-earned rest period. After recharging, campers were free to explore during open activities: some took on the slip and slide, others cooled off in the pool, climbed to new heights for the Leap of Faith, went horseback riding, and more. There’s nothing quite like seeing campers chase their curiosities and try new things.
As the afternoon came to a close, cabins regrouped to freshen up before a very special dinner. Tonight’s closing session meal featured Cheerio steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and chocolate chip brownies — a delicious send-off to an unforgettable week.
After dinner, the fun continued with one last stop at the store for treats in the gym, followed by a showcase of talent from our performance activities: Dance, Chumble, and Drama. The show was full of creativity, heart, and big laughs — the perfect way to wrap up a week of hard work and fun.
To close out the night, we walked together to the lake for one of the most meaningful moments of camp: our Closing Ceremony. We honored first-year campers, recognized those who reached milestone club achievements, and celebrated our amazing final-year campers. We proudly announced this session’s Honor Campers from each cabin, culminating in naming our Camp Honor Camper — someone who truly embodied the Cheerio spirit of kindness, courage, and leadership.
Back in the gym, we gathered one final time to watch a slideshow capturing the week’s joy, adventures, and friendship — a highlight reel of a week we’ll never forget.
Camp Cheerio, thank you for an incredible session. Until next year — keep thriving, keep exploring, and keep being you.