Jeff’s Thoughts:
Trust: As we enter the third week of camp, all of the Camp Takajo campers have had the opportunity to speak with their parents on the phone. So often the communication with a child away at camp is vague because it represents a moment in time, a snapshot of their camper’s experience at Camp Takajo. There is no way for a camper to properly articulate everything he is doing over the course of a summer; the emotional growth, developing self-reliance, learning new skills on the athletic fields, reaching outside one’s comfort zone, and developing his own sense of self. A child, in his letters or phone calls, cannot translate this to his parents. These important achievements take place during a season spent at Camp Takajo, with or without the child realizing his accomplishments or being able to articulate them as they occur. Parents frequently call me for more information, since this sometimes-awkward communication leaves them wanting more. Parents rely on me to give them a fair and accurate opinion of the child’s summer experience. Trust.
- The Senior Intermediates and the Okeechobees are on their small trips today to Old Orchard Beach. After a fun-filled morning in the sun, the Inters will go paintballing and have dinner out. This morning, the Okees got to sleep in, had a continental breakfast delivered to them on their quad, they go paintballing in the afternoon, and then go to the Maine Mall for dinner and a movie. The Sub Senior campers just got back from their social trip this morning. They had an overnight and a morning rafting trip with Camp Vega. Today, they are going to take advantage of the specialty baseball and basketball clinics.
- Today in Junior camp, the Greens are going to visit another camp for some inter-camp activity, during which they will play in three different sports. The 12-year-olds will remain in camp for their inter-camp play. Later, the boys get to enjoy another tradition, our first outdoor “old-school” cookout of the summer.
- Today, we have to say goodbye to our lacrosse specialist, Jim Stagnitta, head coach of the Major League Lacrosse Denver Outlaws. Thank you for all of your hard work, and we hope you enjoyed your stay with us.
- Tennis counselors have a lot to look forward to this week. Today, the 12-year-olds are playing tennis with Camp Winaukee. Tomorrow, we have the biggest event of the year in tennis, right here at the Camp Takajo Invitational Tennis Tournament.
- Yesterday, our Warrior Indian campers had their first field day with Camp Winaukee of the summer, during which Takajo won 9 out of the 11 events. Last night, we unveiled our 12-foot inflatable movie screen out on the Commons Deck, and campers got to watch the MLB All Star Baseball game before bedtime. The WR Crows are having a beach party today out on the waterfront in the afternoon, with music, sand castles and sunshine. Also, we are continuing our baseball, basketball and lacrosse specialty clinics.
