When the green-and-white striped canopy tent goes up on our docks and the benches are lined up to create a “bullpen” where participants gather prior to their events, you know it’s time for our annual Takajo Swim Invitational. Against a cloudless blue sky, with temperatures in the low 80s, our waterfront staff were stationed like sentries around the docks, stopwatches in hand, waiting for the starter’s pistol to signal the beginning of each race. There were some close finishes and some not-so-close finishes, but at the end of the day, Takajo prevailed with first-place finishes in the 9U, 11U, and 13U divisions and a second in the 15U age group. Kudos to waterfront director, Bob Lewis, and his entire staff for a professionally run meet.
After lunch, it was our Sub-Seniors’ turn to take to the lacrosse field and host a 14U match. After a back-and-forth contest where we were up four, then two, then tied, our Subs mustered a last surge of offense to score two late goals and take the contest, 8-6. Our lacrosse program has seen a real resurgence this summer, buoyed by Specialty Camp stints from former campers Kyle Morris and Cardin Stoller, college goalies at the University of Virginia and Rutgers University, respectively. On Monday, we’ll be joined by Ken “Bear” Davis, a former Takajo counselor who has coached college and professional lacrosse teams. Bear will spend the week with us and give those who really want to “up their game” a chance to take advantage of some professional-level coaching.
After showers tonight, all three age groups – Warriors, Juniors, and Seniors – were ready for some downtime after a full week of fast-paced activity in magnificent weather. Settling in for Movie Night, everyone was ready to “chill” with friends, get comfortable with a blanket and a pillow, and bask in the aftermath of a terrific stretch of our camp season.
These are the weeks that show camp at its finest. Tons of moving parts, carefully orchestrated trips and activities, campers and counselors working together so “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” We never take for granted the opportunities we have to experience the beauty and majesty of Maine and create these wonderful memories.
