There was a slower pace around camp this morning. Reveille came a little later than usual for Lazy Man’s Sunday. Our boys wandered to the dining hall in pajamas, and Dunkin’ Donuts disappeared from trays as quickly as our kitchen staff could put them out. After another packed week of trips, intercamp competition, socials, and special events, the slower start was well deserved. Some of our Warriors who competed in the annual Warrior Camp Three-Point Shooting Contest were especially content with a little more sleep this morning.
Indeed, yesterday after dinner, the Warrior basketball court was packed with campers and counselors surrounding the court, cheering on every shot. It has become one of those staple events that our youngest boys look forward to every summer. What made this year’s contest even more memorable was the winner. Against a field of older campers, a Crow (finished second grade) emerged victorious. This is something that doesn’t happen very often, and, judging by the reaction from the crowd, you’d have thought he’d just hit the game-winning shot in the NBA Finals.
This morning, the entire camp gathered on the Commons Deck to hear an inspiring presentation from Matt Hoidal, founder of World of Change, an organization dedicated to empowering young people through philanthropy. Matt shared a statistic that immediately captured everyone’s attention: there is an estimated $62 million of loose change sitting unused in homes across the country. He then challenged our boys to think differently about what it means to make a difference. Giving isn’t reserved for adults or for those with great wealth. Every person, regardless of age, has the ability to create positive change in someone else’s life.
Following his presentation, each camper was given coins and invited to make a donation toward one of six different causes: Education, Housing, Food, Animals & Nature, Health, or Play. As I looked around at our boys, I couldn’t help but think about one of the greatest privileges of camp. While we spend so much of the summer teaching baseball fundamentals, improving tennis strokes, developing swimmers, and building confidence on the waterfront, we also have opportunities like this to pause and remind our campers that character matters just as much as achievement.
Today also marked the final Brother-Sister-Cousin Days of the summer. We welcomed sisters and cousins from Camp Robindel for lunch, while boys with sisters and cousins at Tripp Lake Camp boarded buses for an afternoon together at their camp.
While camp enjoyed a quieter Sunday, our oldest boys continued making memories across the Northeast. Our Okees, still enjoying their incredible adventure in Canada, kicked off the day with high-speed go-kart racing before spending time exploring downtown Montreal, including a visit to the iconic Roots flagship store. During the afternoon, they tested their skills at Oasis Surf, North America’s premier indoor surfing destination. After another outstanding dinner together, they relaxed with a movie before returning to their hotel.
Meanwhile, all of our Sub Seniors have now reunited in Bar Harbor. Today, they enjoyed a guided hike up Gorham Mountain, taking in breathtaking views of Frenchman Bay, Sand Beach, Otter Cliff, and the Gulf of Maine. Later in the afternoon, they challenged themselves at an indoor climbing facility before ending the day with one of Acadia National Park’s greatest traditions– watching the sunset atop Cadillac Mountain. Few places in the country offer a more spectacular way to close out a summer day.
This evening, the entire camp gathered once again in the MJG Playhouse for our Junior Big Show, High School Musical. I’m amazed by our boys’ ability to balance rehearsals with everything else camp has to offer. Watching the entire camp come together to cheer them on is always one of the special moments of the summer. Hats off to Katie-Rose, Natalie, and Karen Davis, who hit it out of the park and managed to once again put on a show that created a memorable night for all.
The slower pace of Lazy Man’s Sunday will quickly give way to another busy week. We’re heading toward more trips, more competition, more special events, and countless opportunities for our boys to continue growing together. While a little rest is nice, the rhythm of camp never stays slow for long, and that’s exactly how we like it. Plus, rumor has it that the start of our Olympics isn’t too far off…
