We had a busy day today on the shores on Long Lake. Camp Takajo hosted its sixty-ninth annual tennis invitational and sailing regatta. At 8:30 this morning, school buses and vans from eight prominent camps from Maine to New Hampshire rolled down the camp road for a day full of competition. The tennis invitational is a test of skill, grit, and determination. The sailing regatta is a test of skill, strategy, and intelligence. I know the pride you must feel watching your child play on his local teams in the community; therefore, you can imagine the pride I feel in your child as he represents Camp Takajo.
There were some incredibly close matches played at all age levels. The pressure on some of the boys to play multiple matches against opponents from other camps surrounded by cheering fans from all camps is enough to rattle the most experienced athlete. While we pride ourselves in keeping competition in its proper perspective, playing for the love of the game, and always being a gentleman and a good sport, the reality is that there is enormous pressure on our campers today. I often comment that some of the most challenging, anxious moments in our lifetimes often result in some of the greatest outcomes.
You just have to push through those moments of doubt, believe in yourself, trust yourself, and do the best that you can. At the end of this magnificent day, we celebrated victories in both the tennis invitational and the regatta. While the victories are meaningful, the way our campers conducted themselves will help create a foundation to accept even greater challenges in the future.
As I looked out over Long Lake throughout the day, I witnessed our sailboats racing around markers and observed the strategy it takes to capture the wind and win a race. Our sailors are required to make split-second decisions in order to achieve maximum proficiency of their vessels. I am incredibly proud of the time and effort our sailors put into the preparation for this annual event. With all things that take place in camp, the success of these events rests on the shoulders of our amazing staff, who create these special moments for our campers.
