04/10/2024
I imagined creating a place where people, and especially women, could spend time outdoors to focus on their mental health at least 5 years ago (probably longer). A big part of my own healing after my dad was killed was done on solo hikes.
I knew I wanted to name this place after my great- grandmother Ollie, because she endured trauma after trauma and still figured out a way to create a beautiful life for herself and her family. I fondly remember her being out in her yard, hands in the dirt. Nature is healing.Β
And then it finally happened. We hosted a group of 40+ guests for a day of wellness focused activities! So many people helped to make sure our grand opening at Camp Ollie Lou was a success on Eclipse Day!
Special thanks to and .kent.56211 for jumping in on a mad dash to finish picnic tables for our campers the day before they arrived. Karen provided therapeutic art activities and taught guests how to calm their nervous systems with biofeedback. My aunts and uncle came to help with last minute touches and stayed after to help clean up. So many family and friends showed up, and we met new people from all over the country who wanted to spend their Eclipse Day at Camp Ollie Lou!Β And as always, worked behind the scenes on a million different projects to ensure it was all a success.
The most touching part was sharing this experience with my 86 year old grandpa, Ollie's last living son (2 days after he was released from the hospital, no less!). Thanks to my mom for driving him out. It was also pretty cool to have one of Ollie's great-great grandsons there, my nephew Bradley.Β
Like nature teaches us, good things take time to bloom π·