The humidity has temporarily left us, and we were greeted mid-morning by a little rain. Candidly, it gave our boys the opportunity to take a deep breath after a fast-paced start to camp. Hobbies were in full swing and both indoor sports complexes were in use, but by the afternoon the sun was shining, and we were back into our regular program. If you were here observing, you would marvel that just a few days ago this campus was empty. Even our youngest boys have a sense of comfort as they move around the campus. This is now their home, and it’s as if they’re stepping outside onto their own backyard as they meander around our facility with their newfound friends.
This evening during dinner, I made my way over to where our Okees, our oldest campers in camp, were sitting. I marveled at the physical growth that’s taken place with these boys during the last year; these once baby-faced little boys have now grown into fine young men. There is a comfort and ease that these boys have with one another that comes with years of familiarity, combined with natural growth and maturation. While there is teasing and banter, it’s all done with love and affection. These boys are here for each other at a time in their lives when they would have the means and opportunity to be anywhere. They have chosen to be with each other at a place that has helped to shape them during their formative years.
Our Okees are the leaders of the camp, envied and admired by our younger boys. One Okee took his younger brother sailing this evening, just to spend some quiet time and welcome this little boy to camp. This is the kind of leadership we hope for from our oldest boys. The impact this Okee had on his little brother will likely stay with him throughout his lifetime. I know this because it is these subtle moments in camp that often have the largest impact. Helping someone in that moment of need and making someone feel welcomed when they’re out of sorts, this is what we hope our Okees will impart to our younger campers this summer.
By tomorrow, all three divisions will be in regular program. This will include two team sports, a hobby period such as woodworking, crafts, and fine arts, skills including water skiing, sailing, canoeing, and archery, as well as swimming. The structure and routine of our program will help all of our boys feel more settled, confident, and at home.
