We were clicking on all cylinders today as our boys enjoyed another full day of activities. From the moment the boys opened their eyes, there was constant movement and activity in camp. I marveled as I watched our Warriors (finished first, second, third, or fourth grades) navigate around this campus. Our boys have become familiar with the program and their surroundings, and one can see how their confidence has grown as they feel at home, roaming around the facility.
We had three pioneering trips today. Some of our Hawks (finished third grade) went to Dear Hills Trail, located in the White Mountain National Forest. Our nine-year-old campers completed a four-mile hike that included a picnic lunch and a swim in the river before returning to camp.
Some of our Junior campers (finished fifth grade) traveled to Rattlesnake Pool near Stow, Maine. Our boys hiked a rather challenging route that included a trail over the infamous Maine Rock Steps. Our boys found this trip to be challenging, yet exhilarating.
A number of our Okees traveled to Arethusa Falls in New Hampshire where they hiked along a three-mile trail, experiencing some incredible views of the state, especially when they reached the top of the Falls.
Some of our golfers had the opportunity to hit the links after lunch and play 18 holes at one of the local courses in our region. Their bags returned home a little lighter as the summer supply of golf balls was used for mulligans throughout the round.
This afternoon just before dinner, our Okees assumed the role of leading our Takajo Families. Each Okee knocked on the bunk door of an eighth-grader and welcomed him to the family. The two boys then made their way to a seventh-grader’s bunk to pick up the next member of the group, and the family grew. This continued until seven boys made their way to our youngest bunks to pick up a little Crow camper. Our youngest boys had their noses pressed up against their bunk screens in anticipation of meeting their big brothers from every age level in camp. The Okee campers, now heads of their own families, brought their campers down to the beach for a cookout dinner, where each family sat together during the meal to get to know one another.
As I made my way around the different families, I listened to our oldest campers sharing their experiences of camp and highlighting the special events that were in store for all in the coming weeks.
We are building a community where everyone feels they belong. It’s an environment where you can find support in times of need, and where younger boys can look up to their older counterparts with admiration, aspiring to take on that role in the future.
