We have begun, and we have begun well! Our buses left at 10:00 on the dot bringing excited campers to their new summer home. In some ways the bus ride to Camp Birchmont is the beginning of the camp experience. Campers are grouped by age, so there is an opportunity to make friends while sharing snacks, singing songs, and listening to the bus counselors answering questions in rapid succession like “How will I find my bunk”, ” My brother is on another bus, when will I see him?”,” When do we have try-outs for the talent show?”,” Does anyone know I’m allergic to eggplant?”

Many families dropped off their children on the grounds and many more came in from flights from Logan airport and soon Birchmont came alive for another summer adventure.

Counselors greeted the buses with excited anticipation. This was the moment they had been waiting for after a week long of meetings, role playing, and safety orientations. The kids were finally here! After unpacking and settling in, the dinner bell rang bringing all campers and counselors to the opening night traditional meal, Pizza Party, with a full range of pizzas offered with every different topping imaginable including gluten free pizzas with thin crust; it seemed everybody had their fill, but managed room for dessert.

The rainy travel weather had disappeared and our fields were full of campers getting out their energy with all manner of games and ice-breakers designed to introduce campers and cabins to their counselors and friends. Where is everybody from? Who has dogs? What’s the part of camp are you most excited about? Finding things we have in common, and things which make us different , putting everyone at ease is the goal of games which encourage playing and learning all rolled into one.

Name games, balloon relays, fun in the Old Time Arcade with pop-a-shots, and Hockey Dome, tomorrow we will start our full camp day, and its going to be great!