Weekends at Camp Pinnacle have a new type of routine to them. The pace slows down just enough for campers to enjoy a little extra rest while still filling the day with unforgettable experiences, laughter, and opportunities to try something new. These weekend traditions quickly become some of the moments campers remember most, giving them the chance to explore camp in a different way, strengthen friendships, and simply enjoy being kids in an environment where they feel safe, encouraged, and supported.
This morning began with our weekend late wake-up, with the wake-up bell ringing at 8:30am instead of the usual early start. After a busy week of adventures, that extra bit of sleep is always appreciated! Campers slowly made their way to breakfast at 9:15, where the dining hall was filled with plenty of smiling faces and conversations about the fun ahead. Breakfast featured warm pain au chocolats, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and everyone’s favorite fun cereals, giving campers plenty of fuel for an exciting morning.
Following breakfast, everyone returned to their cabins to get ready for one of the most anticipated events of the weekend. While our Wolfe Pack Year 1 and Year 2 campers headed into downtown Hendersonville for an afternoon exploring the local shops and enjoying some well-earned time together off camp, the rest of camp was preparing for something equally exciting back on site.
At 10:30, Camp Chella officially kicked off! For two hours, Camp Pinnacle transformed into its very own summer festival, with colorful activities and smiling counselors spread all across camp. Every station was thoughtfully planned and run by our counselors, whose energy and creativity brought the entire morning to life. It was one of those events where every camper could wander around with their friends, choosing exactly what interested them while discovering something new along the way.
The gym quickly became a dance floor as campers learned new dance moves together, laughing through every step and cheering each other on. Out on the sunny ballfield, campers cooled off with Icee Pops while enjoying the beautiful mountain weather. Nearby, karaoke performances filled the air, with campers confidently grabbing the microphone while their friends sang right alongside them.
Elsewhere around camp, campers could have their faces transformed with colorful face paint, decorate custom bandanas to wear for the rest of the session, stop by the photobooth to capture fun memories with friends, or even visit the fortune-telling station for a few laughs and surprises. One corner of camp echoed with familiar campfire songs as groups gathered together singing many of the tunes that have already become part of this session’s soundtrack.
One of the most special parts of mornings like these is seeing friendships continue to grow. Campers naturally move from station to station together, inviting others to join in, encouraging one another, and creating memories they’ll talk about long after the summer ends. Those shared experiences help build a true sense of belonging, and it’s wonderful to watch children become more comfortable being themselves with every passing day.
At 12:30, everyone gathered back in the dining hall for lunch. Today’s menu featured Chinese-style orange chicken served with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and refreshing cantaloupe, giving campers another chance to relax together and swap stories about their favorite Camp Chella moments.
After lunch came our daily downtime, allowing everyone to recharge before another afternoon of camper favorites. Some campers relaxed in their cabins, others caught up with friends, wrote letters home, or simply enjoyed a quiet break before the day’s next adventure.
At 2:30, campers made their way to the Shadium for one of our most popular weekend traditions: C-Days, or Camper Choice Days. Campers signed up yesterday for the activities they were most excited about, selecting three activities to enjoy today and another three for tomorrow. Giving campers the opportunity to choose their own schedule helps foster independence while allowing them to dive deeper into activities they love or discover entirely new hobbies.
This afternoon’s C-Day options offered something for everyone. Some campers headed to the Pickleball Patch Party to continue working toward earning their pickleball patch, while others got creative making handmade jewelry to take home as a special keepsake. Archery Levels gave campers the chance to sharpen their skills and work toward new achievements, while Zumba had everyone moving and laughing together. Budding bakers rolled up their sleeves for the Great British Bake Off challenge, adventurous campers competed in the always-popular Blob Contest at the lake, and nature lovers set off in search of salamanders, discovering even more about the incredible wildlife that surrounds Camp Pinnacle.
One of the greatest gifts camp gives children is the freedom to make choices. Throughout the school year, so much of a child’s day is carefully scheduled. At camp, they have the opportunity to choose activities based on their own interests, discover new passions they may never have considered before, and develop confidence in making decisions for themselves. These experiences help build independence in ways that often surprise both campers and parents, and
Following an action-packed afternoon, everyone gathered in the gym at 5:30 for a refreshing fruit break before heading off at 5:35 for Gym and Swim. Some campers cooled off in the lake, while others spent time in the gym playing games with friends before everyone came back together for dinner.
Dinner was served at 6:30, and it was a camper favorite: Mexican night! Campers built their own burrito bowls with Mexican rice, shredded chicken, seasoned beef, queso, beans, fresh salad, homemade guacamole, and plenty of other toppings to choose from. To finish off the meal, everyone enjoyed warm churros for dessert.
After dinner, campers headed out to their evening programs. Our younger cohorts took on ‘Cat Flags’, a classic Pinnacle Cup game where color teams defended their own bases while working together to capture the other teams’ cats. At the same time, our older cohorts gathered in the gym for Pinguard, a high-energy twist on dodgeball where teams protected their pins while upbeat music kept the games moving.
The evening wasn’t over yet for our Squirrels and Chipmunks, who were surprised with a holiday-themed sneakout. As they made their way around camp, they celebrated Christmas, Halloween, the Fourth of July, and New Year’s Eve, taking part in festive games and activities at each stop.
After a full day of adventure, campers returned to their cabins for showers and evening circles with their counselors and cabin mates before settling in for lights out. Another memorable weekend day at Camp Pinnacle came to a close, with everyone ready for another exciting day of C-Day activities tomorrow.
