Jeff’s Thoughts: A Fond Farewell
The end of the season brings the realization that the friendships we have formed will now be in transition. In just one day, we will depart for home and go our separate ways after this incredible experience we shared together. This afternoon, I had the privilege of having a cookout lunch at my home with our Senior Okeechobee campers, who also enjoyed a dip in the hot tub. I have had the unique experience to watch these fine, young boys grow throughout the summers into fine young men. The lunch was delicious, but the time I spent sitting with these campers was an experience I’ll cherish forever. This was the campers’ opportunity to ask me any questions about camp. Some were based on the camp’s traditions. Some curious minds wanted to know about the behind-the-scenes operations and marketing effort it takes to run camp. Remarkably, a number of our Senior campers have fathers 
who attended Camp Takajo, and they wanted to know if they were better athletes than their fathers. When the lunch ended, our leaders in Senior Camp competed in their last Olympics and finished in time to join us for the Final Banquet. Certain campers and counselors were selected to speak about their camp experiences and how Camp Takajo has helped make them a better person. At the end of the evening, with a star-lit sky, the whole camp came together on the beach to watch a video montage of the seven weeks we spent together– the memories, the friendships, the victories and the defeats. We will e’er remember.
- Today in Warrior Camp, the boys began packing. Slowly, but surely, they are getting their bunks in order, cleaning up their areas, and taking inventory of what they want and need. For dinner, the Warriors attended the Final Banquet and got the opportunity to dress for a formal, beautiful meal together.
- The Seniors finished their Olympic games today with the Whacked-Up Relay race throughout camp. Of course, it ended with a pie-eating contest. Two campers ate full pies with hands secured behind their backs. They joined the Juniors for their evening meal, and tonight’s special Final Banquet.
- In Junior Camp today, there was some cleanup time. Our Juniors helped organize the Art Center, the nature building, and many of the other athletic facilities. Now that the Olympics are over, they are getting ready for departure day. They also spent this evening at the Final Banquet with their peers, experiencing a wonderful dinnertime meal, dressed nicely.
- Tonight, all of camp will convene down at the beach, to watch a video montage made by our very own videographers, Trent and Glenn. They get to watch clips of the summer’s greatest activities and share memories they will have for a lifetime. The video montage will be posted to the myTakajo website section soon.
