Each year, a week before visiting day Camp Takajo hosts the Takajo Tennis Invitational and the Takajo Sailing Regatta. These two events take place on the same day, and campers have the opportunity to watch some amazing tennis and sit down on the beach to watch our most experienced sailors compete against neighboring camps. While we are known for having a gentle breeze on Long Lake, refreshing on hot summer days, it is almost comical how still the winds are each year during our Sailing Regatta.
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The head of our waterfront, Bob Lewis, always makes the same speech during the awards presentation; “It is the experienced sailor who can navigate the sails when there is no wind.” This summer we have created a sailing club for those enthusiastic skippers, who want to spend more time navigating on the shores of Long Lake. This year’s hard work paid off. Our boys sailed with great precision, and managed to catch the little air that blew across our lake and brought home a victory.
Takajo hosts six camps each year for our Tennis Invitational. Campers compete at the sixteen, fourteen, twelve, and ten year-old age groups. This year one of our star players was sidelined with an ankle injury. There are over a hundred matches that take place on our seventeen tennis courts on the day of the Invitational.
While one might assume that there is a distinct advantage to play in front of the “home crowd,” it can also add a tremendous amount of pressure to fall behind an opponent in front of hopeful onlookers. While I am amazed by the level of talent our boys possess, I am even more in awe of their sportsmanship. As one might imagine, there are always calls that are challenged, and momentum swings that go the other way, but our boys stayed composed and never faltered. While there were many shining moments in this event, one that stands out among the rest was witnessing three brothers competing for Camp Takajo in three different age groups. Imagine the pride of looking out on our tennis courts and seeing three of your boys competing for their camp on neighboring courts.
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Words of encouragement in between points, a fist pump, and a nod; just letting your brother know that while you’re in your own battle, you will remain by his side. The relationship between these brothers, their pride in each other, their ability to remain calm and focused under adversity, and their love of competition are admirable examples for all of us to emulate. When these boys put their heads on their pillows at the end of the day, they knew that they had given their all and made us proud.
- Warrior Indian campers went on their Little Trip today to Splash Town/Fun Town USA Amusement Park.
- Junior Grey campers also had their Little Trip to Sea Coast Amusement Park, then went to see the movie Earth to Echo at Smitty’s Cinema, where they relaxed in reclining movie chairs.
- Senior fifteen-and-under lacrosse had a game against Cedar. Seniors are preparing for inter-camp this week as well as their Big Show.
