The first 24 hours have gone so well. After arrival, campers were engaged in orientation games, followed by their first meal at the upper lodge. As the sun set, there were camp fires, cabin contracts and games in each cabin. The noise from our 90-plus boys peaked by 9pm but after the quite bell the camp was silent and calm. This morning every cabin woke to chores followed by a meal of fresh fruit and make-your-own breakfast sandwiches. Songs ensued (“The Wait”, “Country Roads” and “The Banana Boat Song”) followed by Silent Meeting.
In morning activities, campers built debris shelters and wet weather fires, conducted a scavenger hunt in the garden to learn vegetables, and improved our trails around camp.
The afternoon was more free-form, and some chose basketball, other painted t-shirts, practiced rock climbing skills on our chimney, while others chose amongst the six other offerings.
At the same time all this is happening, half the 9-12 year olds are finding the time to pack for their trips that leave tomorrow morning!
Some of the specific things I saw during this time were:
– Over a hundred people enter our dining hall in silence
– A cabin of 11 year old boys in bed at 9 pm, absolutely quiet, listening to the sound of the their counselor’s voice telling a story.
– Boys who had never met each other a day ago excitedly making plans to do activities together.
In summary: it’s been a nice mix of kids having a lot of choice, accomplishing a lot, making lots of noise and being quite and calm – all at the appropriate moments!
Camp is off to a great start.