If opening day is any indication of the good fortune that awaits us, then we are in for an incredible summer. The forecast was for gloomy skies with showers throughout the day, yet the rain never made its way to Camp Takajo. And, while your son arrived at camp, many of you went home to clean up your son’s room after darting out of the house in the early morning, made your son’s bed, picked up his p.j.’s off the floor, and smelled them for one last whiff of your child’s scent.
Your child has spent the day making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and acclimating to his new home. Like clockwork, boys from cities around the country arrived on time, exiting the bus to a round of cheers from their counselors who were eager to greet them. As each bus arrived, the crowd grew, and campers joined our staff in welcoming the latest arrivals. Throughout the day, our campers became acclimated to their bunkmates as they played basketball, tennis, paddle tennis, gaga, and pickleball.
I witnessed some incredible moments throughout the day. Campers embraced their bunkmates as if they have reconnected with their long-lost brothers. Other boys sought out their favorite counselor from last summer to update their idol on what transpired throughout the year. I saw many boys turning in their cell phones, holding and caressing them, one last time before turning them in to our secretaries.
At dinnertime, our boys sat with their bunkmates and gave me my first opportunity to observe how our boys are doing during their first day of camp. You can tell so much by looking at one’s body language. Did their eyes look focused and alert? Does their body look relaxed and comfortable in their new setting? Is the plate filled with comfort food? Without speaking to a child, I can often glean much information from observing.
After dinner, our group leaders held informal welcome sessions, introduced counselors, and let the boys know what was in store over the next coming days at Takajo. At bedtime, I made the rounds and had my next opportunity to get a read on our younger campers. I was incredibly proud to see how our counselors were including all their bunkmates in fun games that made everyone feel at home. As Tattoo echoed across the campus from Warren’s bugle, symbolizing the end of the day, one counselor remained in the cabin in every bunk to make sure that our boys felt settled and secure. As our boys put their heads on their pillows, the stress and anxiety of a new experience were behind them, and optimism for a new day was restored.
