There was incredible energy in camp today. On the heels of our first formal get-together with the entire camp at our opening campfire, our campers and staff started their day with a greater sense of inclusion. The structure of our day is giving our boys a sense of comfort as they transition from one activity to another with a great sense of ease. I never discount what a camper goes through as they step foot on campus for the first time. Trying to assimilate with new bunkmates, learning the names of their counselors, keeping up with our program, and performing to the best of their ability in their activities can be rather overwhelming. Yet, it’s apparent as we approach the end of the first week of camp, that almost all of our boys feel at home.
This is the time of the season that we see each camper’s dispositions and personalities, no different than when we as adults meet people for the first time. We’re often on our best behavior, but the more we spend time with our newfound friends, the more we become comfortable and even a little vulnerable. I’ve witnessed incredible friendships start to blossom, and I’ve also had conversations with bunks about respecting one another and using more appropriate words when expressing their feelings.
As we approach the holiday weekend, we took the opportunity to reserve some tee times at Point Sebago Golf Course, a beautiful eighteen-hole course just a few miles away from camp. Today provided the perfect opportunity to get some of our golf enthusiasts a chance to get out on the course. The staff has been working incredibly hard and has been very respectful of our Covid protocols. To show appreciation for their hard work and dedication to our boys, we arranged to rent the local movie theater for a private showing of Top Gun. The theater provided a catered meal for the perfect getaway that our hardworking staff deserves.
As I made my way around camp today, I had many conversations with the boys, but one was particularly amusing. During the Warrior swim period, I was talking with one of our eight-year-old campers who admired my Okee bracelet, a green and white rubber bracelet that our Okees had made in anticipation of their final year in camp. These Okee bracelets are a bit of a status symbol since they are worn by the leaders of our camp. The Okees have shared these bracelets with campers and staff, and I wear mine each day with pride. This little, inquisitive eight-year-old boy asked me if I would give him my Okee bracelet. I replied that it was given to me by one of our leaders in camp as a gift, and it would be inappropriate for me to give that gift to someone else. Without hesitation, the little camper looked me in the eye and said, “Okay, how about your Apple Watch?” These are the moments that I cherish in camp.
