I hope our boys don’t take this gorgeous weather for granted. It was another day with a bright, sunny sky, a cool breeze coming off the lake, and temperatures barely reaching the low eighties. This weather has afforded us the opportunity to play all sports throughout the day without dealing with the oppressive heat that can sometimes impact motivation during league games.
This morning during breakfast, I was watching a table of boys throwing Fruit Loops up in the air, trying to catch them in their mouths. They were having a ball and admittedly I was enjoying watching the interaction, but I was also watching the Fruit Loops hit the floor more times than their lips. The kitchen workers were also observing, anticipating their role in the clean-up. I went over to the table and commented how happy I was that they were having such a great time and then casually asked them to take a look down by their feet and asked them to kindly make sure that everything was off the floor before they left the dining hall.
We have a philosophy here that we have our staff adhere to when working with our boys and it’s very simple. It’s not what you say but rather how you say it that matters most when you communicate with people. This holds true with adults as well as children. I turned to the counselors at the table and quietly pointed out that this innocent fun could’ve gone in a completely different direction. I could’ve come over angry, pointed immediately to the floor in frustration, and summon the boys to get a broom and dustpan. This would make our guys defensive, frustrated, and obstinate, clearly not the result that I would be looking for as our boys were about to start their day.
Our boys are having fun; and yes, they are impulsive and feed off one another. The act of throwing Fruit Loops in the air became the act of many within minutes, but the response and the willingness to clean their mess was met with the same openness that they received by my request.
The rest of the day was packed with activities. Today our Intermediates (finished 7th grade) had the opportunity to host a neighboring camp and compete in a full day of competition. Our boys represented camp with sportsmanship and intensity as they competed in flag football, baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. Every boy in the age group had the opportunity to play, and there was excitement in putting on a Takajo uniform and representing the camp.
At the same time, our fifteen-year-old boys boarded our buses and competed on the road. A little tired from their late-night social on the Songo River Queen, our oldest boys rallied and gave 100% throughout the day.
Boys in Junior Camp interested in golf had the opportunity to play nine holes at Point Sebago, while Warrior campers remained in our regular program, competed in two league sports games, hit the waterfront twice during the day, and enjoyed their hobbies and skills.
Not to be outdone by our 14- and 15-year-old boys, tonight our Grey leaguers (finished 6th grade) and our Intermediates had the opportunity to slap a little cologne on and make their way to Naples aboard the Songo River Queen for their first social of the summer.
Before dinner, Mike Turtle, founder and owner of Soccer Specific Training, arrived at camp. Mike will offer our boys high-level soccer clinics for the next week. Tonight, these soccer clinics were available to our Warrior campers after dinner. Whether your son is looking to compete in the fall at the highest level or as a beginner looking to develop fundamentals, I would highly encourage you to email your son and recommend him to participate in Mike’s clinics.
