Opening Day

49 kids! That's a lot of new villagers filling our dining hall tonight. Today we began our biggest session of the summer, and things are certainly busier around here. Half of the kids that arrived here today are completely new to our program. We're working hard to help these kids feel welcome. I remember my first summer at Sjölunden. I was 14 and didn't know a thing about Sweden. I'd never seen a dalahäst, nor had I heard of St. Lucia. Everything was new, and I was really nervous. But from that first night my counselors made me feel welcome, and our cabin worked as a team to write new lyrics to a favorite old ABBA song. That turned out to be a wonderful summer that changed my life forever. I hope the villagers who arrived today have the same positive experience as I had. Our staff is sure working to make sure that this happens!