Today was one of those all-time great camp days at Camp Takajo. As I met with the group leaders early in the morning before reveille, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear, anticipating all the events that were about to unfold. We had two groups of Warriors who explored the wilderness in Maine, hiking on some of the most majestic trails in the state. We sent a tennis team over to Camp Wildwood, and won the tournament convincingly. As we left the camp with our trophy in hand, our Senior campers picked up trash liners and led our team as they cleaned the area surrounding the tennis courts, so that we left their campus in immaculate condition. 
Our 15-year-old soccer team competed in a tournament at Camp Cedar. After three hard-fought games, it came down to penalty kicks, and our boys prevailed. Back at home, we hosted an 11-and-under basketball tournament, and a 13-and-under lacrosse tournament. Today was the official launch of our specialty “camp within a camp” program, as soccer professional Mike Turtle from Soccer Specific Training, arrived for his one-week stint running soccer clinics for our campers of all ages and ability levels.
The waterfront was in full swing with four boats pulling water-skiers and wake boarders from morning to dusk. Over on Hobby Lane, activities were also in full swing. The band was practicing for the parade in Naples, the Radio and Electronics hobby classes were practicing on our new DJ equipment and campers scaled our 50-foot climbing wall and reached new heights. And to top it off, our 12- and 13-year-old boys had socials with Tripp Lake Camp.
George Bernard Shaw once said, ‘’Youth is wasted on the young.”
Not on my watch.
- Hobby Lane today was the place for fun activities. The Music hobby held band practice this afternoon to prepare for the 4th of July parade later this week.
- Today, we participated in inter-camp competition for Juniors and Seniors, between Takajo and neighboring camps. They participated in basketball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer and tennis.
- The Juniors and Seniors both have socials tonight with the campers of Tripp Lake Camp. Half of the boys are traveling to Tripp Lake, and the other half will be here awaiting the Tripp Lake girls.
- Tonight in Warrior Camp, we are having a campfire sing-along followed by s’mores. The new campers will learn some fun, traditional Takajo songs, while our veteran campers get to have fun and sing their favorites.
