Week one was a lot of Fun:
Dear Parents,
We were fortunate this year to have hosted a wedding in late May, resulting in many areas of the facility being cleaner than usual when counselors showed up June 18th for preseason. During the one-week preseason, staff completed necessary training, and along with a loyal group of Alumni, assembled the pier, made repairs to cabins, and prepared the property for the arrival of campers on June 26th. We had a great beginning day of campers getting checked in, acquainted with new and old friends, and settling into their cabins. In the afternoon all boys assembled at the waterfront for waterfront orientation, where our waterfront director made a presentation of safety rules and expectations for proper conduct around waterfront activities. This was followed by the swim test where everyone passed. Later in the day we tried out our new GaGa pit and found that nearly everyone was familiar with the popular game. We closed out the day with a council fire where I shared the history of the camp, and then head counselor, Nick and activities director Ross hosted challenges. Challenges are a variety of games that take place around the fire, usually involving a lot of chanting and excitement. The camp song was sung followed by lights out. Monday brought sign up, where boys chose activities for periods one and two for the week. After a day full of activities, we ended with "Minute to Win It" games in the main Lodge.
During the week campers concentrated on taking two activities in the morning followed by clinics, where boys sign up for a short period of unique activities offered by counselors before lunch. Examples of clinics might include a letter writing clinic, summer reading clinic, skit rehearsal, lacrosse, chess or knot tying. Afternoons consisted of rest period, store, third and fourth period activities or team sports, followed by general swim. After dinner, boys enjoyed an hour of free time known as "boats and canoes," where they can choose to take out a boat on the lake or relax in the cabin area or on the beach and pier to watch the sunset.
This year we are expanding our "Life on the farm" experience at camp. Last year we had a calf, "Princess Leaha" stay with us for a week. This year, we are actively maintaining a vegetable garden, a chicken coop, and Princess Leaha and a newborn calf "Elsie" are residing in our barn. Vegetables and eggs will be collected and prepared for meals. We look forward to boys learning more about farming, and we so appreciate the generosity of the Wilbur family in providing these opportunities for our camp.
On Thursday after periods one and two we traveled to Glenns Falls, NY for a round of mini golf and then to the Village of Lake George where boys toured a Wax Museum, played arcade games and had dinner prior to heading back to camp and bed. Another special trip was to Brandon on Saturday, where we participated in the Brandon fourth of July Parade. Boys were given spending money for Lunch and then went back to camp for afternoon activities.
Nighttime activities included a campfire on the beach with s'mores, an after-dinner flotilla on the lake, movie "Mega Mind" in our auditorium, and on Saturday after an "order from a menu" dinner prepared in our kitchen and served by our counselors, we closed the evening with our weekly council fire, where counselors gave out awards to boys who passed levels of achievement in activities. Counselor reports were followed by challenges and our camp song to finish the night off.
Our progressive levels of achievement in activities are identified as "Prospect," "Chocorua" and "Wachusett" Lodges. Boys must accumulate ten achievements at each level to become a member of one of the lodges. I would like to recognize Philip Deninno and Julian Deninno for passing Chocorua Archery and Philip for passing Chocorua riflery this past week, which are significant achievements in both activities.
As of today, all boys have sent letters home. You should be receiving them in the next few days. Please remember that the best time to contact boys by telephone is during mealtimes: breakfast 8:40 - 9:15 (except Sundays 9:10 -9:45), Lunch 1:00 - 1:50, and Dinner 6:30 - 7:30.
This coming week we will be going to the Adirondack's for a trip to the Adirondack Museum and overnight camping followed by a whitewater rafting trip on the Hudson River.
Here's to looking forward to a great week number two!
Unaliyi and Best Regards, Phil