It was a busy day at Camp Takajo. While the skies were gray and gloomy, the rain stayed away until dinner hour which allowed us to have a fun-filled day of activities. During breakfast, we had a professional lice company check each boy’s head for those nasty little critters. Unfortunately, your son has head lice. I used that line last year thinking I was being funny, and a few parents did not realize they were reading a blog, rather than a personal email… then my inbox blew up. Your son does not have head lice.
Warrior campers experienced a full day of a regular program that included two land sports, hobbies, skills, and two swim periods. Junior and Senior teams have been announced, and their competition is in full swing. While the sky was overcast, it did not prevent our sailors and water skiers from making their way down to the lake.
Now that we are a few days into the summer, there are a few boys that have realized that this sleepover party is expected to continue for another six weeks. I promise if your son is one of these boys, you have heard from me. I often tell campers who are struggling to adjust to tell me what it feels like when they put their feet in the ocean. The response is always, “It’s cold.”
I follow up by asking, “What happens when you wait 20 seconds?”
Most children reply by telling me, “The water gets warmer.”
I immediately follow up and ask if they walk further into the ocean up to their knees, “How does the water feel then?”
The child replies “It gets cold again. But 15 seconds later, it feels warmer.”
When I tell the child that the temperature of the ocean is not changing, but their body is acclimating, they understand that the same holds true at camp.
Each day will be met with some moments of discomfort, but it is not until you allow yourself to take the plunge that you can experience the joy that awaits. Most boys do better when they are active rather than being sedentary. While it is important to acknowledge one’s feelings when they are unsettled, it is also important to get them moving and engaged. We have phenomenal counselors at Takajo, and I rely heavily on their skills and enthusiasm to take a child who is having a moment of sadness and distract them with instruction and play.
This evening, the entire camp came together in the MJG Playhouse for the counselor talent show, which is sometimes referred to as the “lack of talent” show. But this year, the counselors were on their game. There were several singing acts that can rival any act you would see on The Voice. It was a perfect opportunity to unite the camp as we all shared laughter and entertainment. Customary with all camp-wide events, the evening ended as our Okees (boys who finished 9th grade), our oldest campers at Takajo, made their way to the stage to lead the camp in singing our alma mater. Looking at this group of boys warmed my heart as I reflected on when many of them sat in the front row of our playhouse 8 and 9 years ago. It is a privilege to play a small role in the growth and development of these amazing young men.
