Jeff’s Thoughts: Camp Takajo: All in the “Family”
When a Takajo boy spends his summer with us, he becomes part of the Takajo Family. On the second night of camp, our oldest campers are given a list of boys ages 7-14, and they knock on the door of an 8th grade boy’s bunk and invite that boy into their family. The leader of the family travels around campus collecting a camper from each age group, until seven campers knock on the door of one of our youngest campers. A significant bond is created when children of various ages come together to create a “family.” There is always a big brother nearby when he is needed.
All the Warriors are preparing for tomorrow’s annual Independence Day Parade through the town of Naples. Today, the Crows and Braves have their morning soccer clinics. The Indians are spending their morning with a little game of football.- Last night, the Junior Greys had their first social of the summer with Tripp Lake and it was a success. After a night of dancing, many of the Juniors are at inter-camp tennis, while the rest of us also enjoy a beautiful day at Takajo.
- The pioneering staff is taking a group of Seniors to Frankenstein Cliff and Arethusa Falls today, for a little hiking and a dip in the cool water. Arethusa Falls is the highest waterfall in New Hampshire.
- The campers were out in the sun on Hobby Lane today during art classes. They got their own individual easels to draw pictures of the day lilies that are beginning to bloom so beautifully all around camp. (Photo below)
- Twenty of our Junior Greys, ages 12 and under, are going to Winaukee tennis today. And, for the first time, campers all from one bunk are competing side-by-side. Good luck bunk Onondaga!
- It is another beautiful day on the waterfront. A perfect day for sailing and water skiing, which the crows did first period today. Many of the boys got up on skis for the first time. The Juniors and Seniors skied family style behind one of our Ski Nautique tow boats. The sailors took advantage of great instructional breeze, and all of the sails were full.
- The 14-year-old boys are playing baseball today at Wildwood and Cedar. Go TAKAJO!
- The soccer games at Cedar ended yesterday for the 15 and under (U15) boys. They met Winaukee in the finals and dominated the game. Takajo had a 1-0 lead the majority of the game, until Winaukee tied it up in the last-minute. After two overtime periods, it went into PK’s. Our goalkeeper, Griffin, saved two shots, and we won the final game. Congratulations boys!
