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What’s Happening at Camp Takajo, July 22, 2014

By July 22, 2014 January 4th, 2019 Tak Talk
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With just three days to go before visiting weekend, I thought I would provide some insight into what you are about to experience. While the weeks seem to be flying by, I can only imagine how disconnected you feel from your son and how anxious you are to spend the day with him. For the great majority of you, visiting day is going to be a blast. The weather forecast indicates temperatures in the low 80’s with a seasonal breeze. Weather clearly plays an important role in the visiting day experience. There is nothing better than seeing camp in full-swing on a beautiful Maine day.06_27_2014_OpeningDay_0016 image

Here are a few things to remember to make your time as enjoyable and stress-free as possible:

  1. Activities begin at 9:15 AM, sharp. Plan to arrive no later than 9:00 AM to allow time to park your car and assemble at our Entrance Arch. We will have counselors greet you and direct you to your son’s first activity. Visitors do not meet their children at the bunks. The reason we meet at the first activity is to ensure that we have enough campers to run our program. This way, you can see the program in action.
  2. There will be plenty of time during the day to relax and visit with your son. Please keep in mind that your child is used to a structured program without a lot of down time. One of the greatest mistakes parents unintentionally make is to pull their child from his structured routine, which creates a greater chance for boredom and sadness. We ask that you follow your child from activity to activity so you can get a true sense of what he does during his day. Deviation often leads to disaster.
  3. Lunch will be served starting at 11:30 on a stagger system, starting with Warrior campers (our youngest). Lunch will run until all guests have eaten. While we will serve a buffet lunch in our dining room, we encourage families to sit out at our picnic tables on the beach or on Adirondack chairs on the Commons Deck to enjoy a beautiful view of Long Lake. Please make sure you visit the Lodge for a delicious dessert.
  4. While we can appreciate that you want to bring some goodies to your son, please be reasonable. Try to think about what you would allow your child to consume in one day when he’s at home. It is not necessary to feel obligated to provide snacks for the entire bunk. When every parent has this perception, you can only imagine the amount of junk that comes into camp. Excessive sugar and sweets leads to stomach aches which is only compounded by the natural separation that occurs at the end of the day. Please be advised that we will not monitor what you bring into the bunk, however, we will take it away after you leave. Please be reasonable.
  5. Bring your bathing suit and tennis racket. If you are interested in swimming with your son, playing some tennis, or shooting some baskets, you are welcome to take advantage of our facility during Rest Hour. Please be advised that because we are running a full program for our campers, most facilities will be occupied during the day. If your son has a water sport, such as water skiing, sailing or canoeing, please feel free to take pictures from the beach or dock; but, unfortunately, we cannot allow parents on our boats.
  6. Our counselors are excited to meet you. Because they are running activities, they may not be free to meet with you at your disposal, however, the staff will make every effort to be available to you during lunch and rest hour. Our office is open, and the office staff are ready to assist you if you would like to replenish your son’s cash account, discuss how your son will be getting home, or sign up for Father/Son Weekend. We are here to help you any way we can.
  7. For some, saying goodbye can be very emotional. Our Warrior Camp will assemble at 5:00 PM for evening line-up on the Warrior basketball court. All campers and staff will attend this line-up. At this time, the Warrior group leader, Hank Fortin, will ask all parents to say goodbye to their children. Our counselors will be there to assist you in this transition. Please make goodbyes quickly and trust us to provide the extra TLC your son may require.
  8. Finally, I position myself down by the waterfront all day. I look forward to personally greeting you. If you find it challenging to grab me for a private conversation, please do not hesitate to follow up after your visiting day.

Here’s to a wonderful and joyous weekend here at Camp Takajo in Maine. We are so excited for Visiting Day 2014!

  • Senior camp- Fourteen-and-under hockey went to Camp Wildwood. League winners enjoyed pizza tonight at a local pizzeria.
  • Warrior camp- Ten-and-under tennis played a tournament today at Camp Winaukee.
  •  Junior camp- Baseball inter-camp tournament at Wildwood today.  Junior Greys ready for their social tonight, here at Takajo with Tripp Lake Camp.
  • Everyone is busy preparing costumes for the Carnival, which is tomorrow morning.