It has been so wonderful watching our campers come into their own this week. The collective awareness that time at camp is passing quickly now is palpable. We have gotten a lot done these past few days.

We entered 8 of our Upper Senior campers in the Lake Wentworth Association Sailing Regatta and took second place. It was a gorgeous day for sailing with friends! To come so close to a first place finish in a tournament of people who have grown up on this lake, was a good testament to the “know how” of our campers, and the strength of our waterfront program. Our beginning water ski club has had great success getting kids up and around the lake in the evening activity when the lake is like glass just before sunset. On land, campers who learned to ride bikes here without the fear of traffic, or falling on pavement have gone “off road” on the Rail Trail to town…many steps taken on the road to self-discovery.

Other fun happenings at camp which included our staff World Cup Soccer Tournament where bravely, perhaps insanely, England took on the rest of the world, and lost when the American soccer counselor, Nick, put in 2 goals to bring the final score 3 to 1. It was a really spirited night as campers wrapped themselves in flags from different countries and screamed out to their favorite counselors on the field. So many counselors got into the act and the sportsmanship, athleticism and antics made for a great spectator event.

Greg Howes former collegiate player at Springfield College had a solid game, and kept up with counselors half his age which was exciting for our supervisors to watch as well.

The soccer game was followed after dark by an outdoor movie on campus for our younger campers who watched “Big Hero Six” an awesome animated feature with an uplifting message about friendship and brotherhood tucked in.

The following evening after our Explorer Girls tucked in for the night, Greg and I rallied the girls out of their bunks to see the beautiful sight of the Blue Moon rising up just over Notches. We all gathered in the middle of the field and stared at a sight that would not be seen again till 2018! I loved hearing the kids giggle and gasp and ask why they call it a Blue Moon, its big and bright but not blue. We explained the phrase “once in a blue moon” and listened to kids say they never get to see a sight like this in their pajamas, and best of all, with their friends. Some special moments at camp happen often, others, well, once in a blue moon.

Speaking of things that are blue at camp, the native high blueberry bushes at the Garden Club, are bursting with fruit, and are picked and eaten by whoever wants them. Naturally, our organic garden does not include spray so everything is edible and available to harvest.

Sunday was a different kind of a day, but jam packed, starting with our late reveille, some Breakfast Rides on horseback with Martine, and our beloved Bagel Sunday for the whole camp which included Bagels and lox and all the fixin’s. One of our Explorer girls who came to Birchmont all the way from China had seen and tasted her first bagel, and her American camp friends tried to answer why it has a hole in it? Is there really an official answer to this question?!

Sunday was also our Midsummer Surprise which had been rained out after Visiting Day. The camp had a great time playing on giant inflatables and games of skill, with an outstanding DJ spinning tunes. That evening the entertainment continued with an outdoor Cirque du Soleil type troupe which performed exciting arial stunts to a local live band giving the feel of a private concert and gymnastics show rolled into one. To end the night, the entire camp rocked The Lodge with our first DJ social of the 2nd session!

Next week we have some tennis and soccer competitions and some of our natural highlight trips including The Polar Caves, The Flume and camp-out, and a 3 day trip to Boston. We close the week with our camper musical production of Mathilda on Friday and the whole camp is psyched as we begin perhaps the best week of the summer on Saturday as we break our 64th Color War. Looking forward to a great week ahead!