In my thirty-four years as owner of Camp Takajo, I never remember a more seamless transition after visiting day. As our boys rolled out of bed and strolled to breakfast, it felt like any other Sunday. Boys in flip flops with bed heads, PJ bottoms, and t-shirts, grabbing their favorite Dunkin’ Donuts and hanging out with their friends seemingly without a care.
I did not even have one child come to me expressing any upset or needing to revisit what had transpired the day before. The boys just seemed to pivot without much thought with the understanding that they had an incredible visit, but it was now time to get back into their routine.
Our Senior campers spent the day organizing and preparing for their big trips. Tomorrow, our Sub Seniors, (finished eighth grade) will depart for a wilderness canoe trip down the St. Croix River or a four-day golf trip, playing some of the most excellent courses in Maine.
Our Intermediates (finished seventh grade) are heading down to Boston, where they will take in the sights; among them will be catching the Red Sox in action. Our Okees are chomping at the bit as they prepare for their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Canada with their Takajo brothers.
After lunch today, the big yellow taxis pulled up in front of the dining hall, and our Eagles (finished fourth grade) boarded the buses and made their way to Swan Falls Campground. They spent the afternoon camping, swimming, cooking dinner over an open fire, and enjoying s’mores before retiring for a night under the stars.
Our Crows (finished second grade) got a big surprise at dinner when they were invited to my house for a movie night. Our youngest guys loved laying on the comfy sofas, munching on snacks, and watching Here Comes the Boom. I love bringing the boys down to my house and allowing them to step away from camp, enjoy some creature comforts from home, and feel a deeper connection with me. These last few weeks are packed with trips and special events. We have a philosophy here that we believe in sprinting through the finish line and never letting up until it is time to go home.
