It was a great day to be a Takajo camper. The Olympics have broken in Senior and Junior Camps, and the competition is underway.
Late last evening, our Seniors were brought to the Playhouse for a fake break, only to return to their quad which was illuminated with green and grey lighting to mark the start of their competition. Teams were announced, and our boys put their bandanas on with pride and saluted their captains, pledging to give it their all over the next few days. There was a Senior baseball game that took place this morning— it came down to the final out in the last inning before victory could be declared. In the afternoon, our boys competed in a massive track meet and gave a hundred percent despite the hot and humid weather.
Our Junior Olympics broke late last evening for our Grey Leaguers. The boys returned home from their white water rafting trip and came together for what they thought was just a video recap of their experience taking the rapids down the Kennebec River. In the middle of the footage, a Junior Olympic montage was added, bringing the boys to a standing ovation. The Junior Greens were kept in suspense a bit longer and had to wait until this morning before their Olympics was announced in the middle of their instructional swim lesson. The boys’ moods changed from doom and gloom to euphoria as teams were announced on the beach. Our Juniors have already competed in baseball, pickleball, tennis, and an afternoon swim meet. Throughout the day, at any given moment, you could hear screams and cheers echo across the campus. Our boys are wearing their green or grey bandanas with pride. Some even have matching face paint in hopes of psyching out their opponents.
Our Warrior campers were on the edge of their seats as they tried to anticipate when their Olympics would break. They were convinced it would launch last night during their make-your-own sundae ice cream party. While their bellies were full and there were signs of ice cream on their t-shirts, there was no Olympic bugle to start the festivities. Our Eagles, who have finished fourth grade, spent the day at Water Country USA, the best waterpark in New England. When they returned from their trip, our Warriors made their way to our council ring for their weekly campfire and were caught off-guard as the flames illuminated green and grey, indicating the launch of their Olympic competition.
For the next few days, all three age groups will compete in every land and water sport, track and field, and every skill, such as archery. There’ll be a song competition that will include all three age groups and a whacked-up relay that will run throughout the camp and end with a pie-eating contest. It’s hard to believe there’s just one week left in the summer as it feels like we’re just getting going.
As the sound of Tattoo bellowed throughout the campus, our heads hit the pillows, looking to get a good night’s sleep in anticipation of a long day of competition.
