Sometimes you just need to unplug. EMPOWER Summer Camp allowed me to do just that. Find out why it was so amazing and why I can’t wait to go back.
I would argue the worst feeling in the world as a blogger is when you go to your site only to find it broken and unresponsive. The second worst feeling is when entire blog posts are missing with no way to retrieve them.
Similarly, when WiFi is down, or your cell phone dies, it creates an equally uneasy feeling of confusion and irritation.
Technology sucks.
All of these things have been happening to me as of late. It makes me miss the days of a rotary phone plugged into the wall, television sets with *gasp* dials, and a radio you had to tune manually. None of this newfangled digital nonsense. If you wanted to invite your friend over, you called them on the phone and asked (with manners) if they could please come over to play. Or, if you lived close by, you rode your bike or walked. Now my kids ask me to text their moms or send an email. NO! I won’t! If you want your friend to come over, pick up the phone and call them. (And yes, we specifically got a home phone so our kids could communicate with us and their friends in the event a cell phone was unavailable.)
Did I mention that my MacBook Pro of 10 years finally bit the dust? It had my Adobe Creative Suite and Office Suite on it. I don’t have any of that on my new Mac. I can’t even edit photos properly yet.
Resetting at EMPOWER Summer Camp
Given all my technological challenges this week, it should go without saying this was not the post intended for today. No, not even close. I’ve been {patiently} waiting for my kids to go back to school so I could have some time to myself to think and actually put into words how amazing my weekend was at EMPOWER Summer Camp a few weeks ago. I was going to tell you how I unplugged (for the most part) and got to enjoy some much needed girl time, and REAL LIFE BLOGGER TIME!, with my friends I had never met.
It was a weekend with very little technology, a lot of face time, and a ton of relaxation. There were activities jam-packed into the weekend. I participated when I could but since I was at the height of 50K training, I was pretty well spent by the time I arrived. I would have loved to have been able to DO ALL THE THINGS! (yoga, bootcamps, mediation, horse painting!), but I’m grateful I had the opportunity to relax and connect with so many amazing women. The time was short but it was sweet.
So instead of the original post I planned for today, instead I’ll share a few camp highlights:
EMPOWER Summer Camp was held at the Ronora Lodge & Retreat Center in Watervliet, Michigan from August 2-4. It was incredible.
We literally had the best food I’ve ever had while traveling.
The produce was garden fresh and everything was made from scratch in the camp kitchen. The recipes were amazing and all our dietary restrictions and preferences were taken into account.
The sunrises and sunsets were gorgeous.
There’s nothing I love more than a beautiful sunrise or sunset and neither of them disappointed! I loved running with the fog sitting lightly in the pasture early in the morning. And I have some of my most cherished memories and photos from the sunset at camp.
The swag and sponsors were the best!
It’s no secret I’m a NOW Foods Ambassador so of course I was thrilled they were the title sponsor. I just love everything about that company. And of course our bags were filled to the brim with amazing NOW products.
Some of my other fave new products were Jade Leaf Matcha, Grass Fed Coffee, Artisan Tropic, and Dandies Marshmallows. Amazing stuff, guys! And of course the tried and true items from Aftershokz, Bob’s Red Mill, and Great Lakes Gelatin.
I got to meet my friends I’ve been waiting to meet for years.
I finally got to meet the women I’ve considered friends for years IN THE FLESH. And they were all just as I imagined they would be. So many laughs, such little time. I really wish we could have had at least one more day together.
Camp was legit camp.
If you followed my stories of the weekend, I showed you the camp showers, the bathrooms, and the bedrooms. What I didn’t show you were the bugs, the woods, the sandy floors in the cabins, and pretty much all the things typical of camp life that were plentiful at EMPOWER. And I loved every second of it.
EMPOWER Summer Camp was just what I needed. It was time to unplug; time to connect with strong, funny, smart, amazing women; try new things; smell like bug spray and sweat; and eat really, really great food. I don’t know how the women of Fit Approach will top this year, but I’m already looking forward to 2020.
Thanks for checking in with me today. Be sure to check in again next week — I’m hoping to make this blogging thing a regular thing again, technology be damned!
xo
Let’s talk!
Did you go to EMPOWER camp? What was your favorite part?
Did you go to summer camp as a kid? What’s your favorite memory?
Linking up with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday Healthy Blogger linkup, Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown, Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics.
12 Comments
Totally exceeded my expectations! One of the highlights for me was meeting friends that I’ve ‘known’ for years but never met IRL. That means you, my friend. We needed more time. I’ll be back next year for more fun!
It was so much fun. And next year I’m focusing on shorter races so I won’t be in super high mileage training mode. Which means MORE WORKOUTS!
I misssssssssss you!
I’m still sad I didn’t make it especially because of the missed opportunity to meet you and many other awesome women that I feel are already friends. Next year!!!!
Definitely come next year. You were so missed, lady!
Oh my gosh it was so fun!! So glad I got to meet you. And you are so right about the food, it was AMAZING. Hopefully, next year’s location will be just as good food-wise. The food is what really matters right?! lol I hope you got your technology stuff all straightened out.
The food is ABSOLUTELY what matters. Priorities! 😉 I’m so happy to have met you. We should plan a meet up since we live so close!
You know my tech issues… a sad day but I guess coulda been worse.
Major FOMO over here in Iowa…but I had family stuff, so it was all good. I’ve probably told you once (on hundreds of times) that I do not embrace technology as much a s most people. My artsy fartsy brain doesn’t function in a “technological” manner LOL But, I am dealing with it, and learning as I go (and grow). Currently, I noticed some of my blog posts from recent months are not showing the pics I’d originally published with them, and I have had ZERO time to figure it out. Not a deal breaker, but a frustration. Glad camp was such a great adventure for you!!
Technology has been failing me all over the place for the last week or so. So frustrating. I don’t even like it all that much to begin with!
You were missed at camp! Come next year!!
This seems like such an awesome event! Social media and technology have introduced me to some really cool people that I hope to have the chance to meet in person one day as well. It does also sound great to disconnect from technology for a while. I’m glad you had fun!
I 100% agree. I’ve met some AMAZING people through social media. It was nice to finally meet them face to face and then turn off the technology. 🙂
I have read so many amazing recaps about Empower camp! It looks like an incredible time, and I was so bummed to miss this year! Next year is on my calendar and I really hope nothing interrupts those plans!
Hope all your technology stuff gets sorted out!
YES! COME! I would love to meet you in person!!! It was a blast. I can’t wait to do it all again. <3